India, July 19 -- The Centre defended the hospitalisation of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk before the Delhi High Court, stating that the decision was taken solely due to his deteriorating health after nearly three weeks of hunger strike and that his life could not be put at risk.

The submissions came during an urgent hearing on a petition filed by Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali Angmo, seeking permission to shift him from Safdarjung Hospital to a private medical facility. She alleged that the family had lost faith in the government-run hospital, claiming Wangchuk was being kept under "illegal detention" and that restrictions had been imposed on their movement and access to him.

Appearing for the Centre, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argue...