NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court Thursday asked the Centre and the city government, both led by the BJP, to regularly monitor the deteriorating health of Sonam Wangchuk, who entered the day 19 of his indefinite hunger strike against alleged irregularities in the NEET medical examination.Hearing a PIL over fasting activist’s dwindling health, the high court noted that “life is precious” and asked both the governments to provide, if needed, medical aid, to the Ladakh native.The PIL was taken up by a division bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia.“Mr Mehta, is there any mechanism to monitor his health?” the Bench asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who appeared virtually for the Centre and the Delhi government.Mehta informed the court that Wangchuk “undergoes daily medical check-ups and that his health parameters are regularly shared”.Doctors have warned that Wangchuk may soon enter a potentially “alarming” phase involving organ damage. Wangchuk has reportedly lost more than 9kgs since beginning his indefinite hunger strike.Providing an update on Wangchuk’s health, Dr Satish Lamba said the activist remains mentally alert and medically stable for now, but warned that doctors are closely monitoring signs that his condition could deteriorate.“Today, on the 19th day of hunger strike, his total weight loss exceeds 9 kilograms. His blood sugar today is 80 mg/dL, and his pulse is 72 beats per minute. His blood pressure readings are 105/61 mmHg while lying down and 101/65 mmHg while sitting. His hydration status is fair, and he is mentally alert. His current weight is 56.9 kg,” Lamba said.Explaining the medical concerns, he added, “The second stage involves elevated uric acid levels, indicating muscle breakdown and consumption, which has caused the rise in blood uric acid. We now face a potential third stage, which could be alarming, involving organ involvement; for this, we must adopt a ‘wait and watch’ approach. We are maintaining extra vigilance around the clock.”Days before the court’s ruling, Wangchuk said he was “not in good shape, but not so bad”. In a video clip shared on X, Wangchuk urged people to join the scheduled march to Parliament on July 20 rather than asking him to break his fast.“Thousands of you have sent me messages asking me to end my hunger strike and eat something. Many senior leaders have come to meet me—some speaking with affection, others urging me sternly. Some have even appealed to the court, asking the government to force-feed me,” Wangchuk said.“There are two things I want to say. First, even if I break my fast, what will change? What message will that send? The only message the government will receive is that there is no need for accountability. People sit on a protest, and then they simply leave,” he added.“Second, my condition is not such that I will die in 24 days. I have undergone many medical tests, and for someone who has been fasting for 18 days, the results have been quite normal. I even had an ECG today, and it was not bad. So I can continue for several more days. Yes, I am weak. My muscles are wasting away, but my heart and core health are still functioning well,” he said.“So instead of only asking me to end my fast, I request all of you to take one small step yourselves. On July 20, come out in such large numbers that a clear message reaches the government,” he added.Meanwhile, Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijeet Dipke claimed that Wangchuk has been losing muscle mass and is in “immense pain”, adding that the activist has lost 8.5 kg since the beginning of his fast.