Supreme court seeks centre’s response on plea against Sonam Wangchuk’s detention

The Supreme Court on Oct 6 issued a notice to the Union government on a petition filed by Gitanjali Angmo, wife of Ladakh-based innovator and activist Sonam Wangchuk, challenging his detention under the National Security Act (NSA).

The petition, filed under Article 32 of the Constitution, seeks disclosure of the grounds of Wangchuk’s detention and his immediate release, arguing that the arrest violates his fundamental rights.

A bench led by Justice Aravind Kumar heard the plea and directed the Centre to respond by Oct 14. The petition names the Union government, the Ladakh administration, and the Superintendent of Jodhpur Central Jail as respondents.

Wangchuk, who has been lodged in Jodhpur following a preventive detention order under the NSA, has not been informed of the reasons for his detention, according to his wife’s plea.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the petitioner, told the court that neither Wangchuk nor his family had received any official grounds for the detention, which he said was a violation of Article 22 of the Constitution. Sibal argued that the absence of disclosure prevented the detainee from effectively challenging the order.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, informed the bench that the grounds had been served to Wangchuk himself and that there was no legal requirement to share them with his wife. The court questioned the government’s reluctance to provide a copy to her and asked the Solicitor General to examine whether it could be shared without breaching procedure.

The petition also sought interim relief, including access to medical care for Wangchuk. The Solicitor General assured the court that Wangchuk had undergone a medical examination and was found to be in good health but said necessary medication would be made available if required.

When the issue of visitation was raised, the bench observed that no formal request had been submitted for a meeting and advised that such a request be made to the authorities before seeking judicial intervention.

The bench also asked the petitioner to clarify why the matter had not first been filed in a High Court. Sibal replied that since the order was passed by the central authorities and Wangchuk is detained in Rajasthan, there was uncertainty about jurisdiction. The court asked for this clarification in the next hearing.

Wangchuk, an education reformer and climate activist, is widely known for his work in sustainable development and environmental advocacy in Ladakh.

Wangchuk was detained on Sep 26 under Section 3(2) of the NSA following protests in Ladakh’s capital Leh over demands for statehood and the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

Two days earlier, on Sep 24, clashes during these protests turned violent, resulting in four deaths and dozens injured.

Authorities have accused Wangchuk of “inciting” the violence through provocative speeches and alleged links to foreign entities, claims he and his supporters strongly deny.