Supreme Court Questions Centre on Sonam Wangchuk's Detention

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the central government and the Ladakh Union Territory regarding the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. This follows a plea from his wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, challenging his arrest under the National Security Act (NSA) after violent protests in Ladakh that resulted in four fatalities. The court will hear the case again on October 14.

Wangchuk was detained on September 26, two days after protests erupted in Leh, demanding statehood and inclusion under the 6th Schedule of the Constitution. The protests turned violent, leading to clashes with security forces and numerous injuries. Authorities allege that Wangchuk incited the violence while he was on a hunger strike advocating for the rights of Ladakhis.

In her petition, Angmo described the detention as illegal and claimed that a false campaign has been launched against her husband. She has also requested immediate access to him, both in person and via phone. The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria, did not grant her request for the grounds of detention but acknowledged the urgency of the matter.

Wangchuk is currently held in Jodhpur jail, Rajasthan. His lawyer stated that he is willing to remain in custody until an independent inquiry is conducted into the police firing that led to the deaths during the protests. Angmo has previously reached out to President Droupadi Murmu, alleging a "witch-hunt" against her husband for advocating for the people of Ladakh. She criticized the government's actions, comparing the situation to colonial oppression, and expressed concern over the treatment of Ladakhis by the police following the protests.