Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences on Monday after he suffered at least two episodes of unconsciousness earlier this month, officials confirmed. The development has raised concern given his age and history of similar health incidents during his tenure in high public office.
Dhankhar, who is 74 years old, had initially gone to AIIMS for what was described as a routine medical check-up. However, during the examination, doctors advised that he be admitted to the hospital for closer observation and detailed evaluation. As part of the diagnostic process, he is scheduled to undergo an MRI scan and other tests to determine the underlying cause of the episodes.
An official familiar with the matter told PTI that Dhankhar had visited AIIMS for a regular health assessment, but medical professionals insisted on hospitalisation to conduct further investigations. The decision was taken as a precautionary measure to ensure that no serious condition goes undetected.
According to officials, Dhankhar experienced “two bouts of unconsciousness” on January 10 while he was in the washroom. These incidents caused immediate concern among those around him and led to consultations with doctors, eventually resulting in his admission to AIIMS for monitoring and tests.
Doctors at the hospital are currently keeping him under close observation. His health condition is expected to be reviewed again on Tuesday, after which a decision will be taken on whether he is fit to be discharged or requires continued hospital care.
Officials also noted that Dhankhar has a history of similar episodes in the past. During his time as vice president, he reportedly blacked out on multiple occasions while attending public events at various locations, including the Rann of Kutch, Uttarakhand, Kerala, and even in the national capital. These recurring incidents had earlier raised questions about his health.
Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from the post of vice president on July 21, citing health-related reasons. At the time, his resignation drew significant attention, with sources indicating that persistent medical issues and repeated episodes of ill health played a key role in his decision to step down from the constitutional office.
