New Delhi: Gitanjali Angmo, wife of climate activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk, has strongly criticised his detention under the National Security Act (NSA), stating that the case reflects the condition of democracy in the country, where power is allegedly being used to illegally detain citizens without merit.
In an interview with PTI, Angmo asserted that Wangchuk’s arrest lacks legal substance and should have already been quashed due to serious procedural violations by the authorities. She described the case as an “open-and-shut matter” and accused the government of repeatedly seeking adjournments in court to delay proceedings.
Wangchuk, a Ramon Magsaysay Award recipient, was detained on September 26 and transferred to Jodhpur Jail, two days after protests in Ladakh demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status turned violent, resulting in four deaths and injuries to nearly 90 people.
Angmo said the detention goes beyond one individual and raises concerns about democratic freedoms. “If it can happen to Sonam, it can happen to anyone. This is about the misuse of power and the illegal detention of people who have contributed positively to the nation,” she said.
She has filed a habeas corpus petition in the Supreme Court seeking Wangchuk’s immediate release. Angmo alleged that even basic procedural requirements were not followed, stating that key documents forming the basis of detention were handed over to Wangchuk only after 28 days, far exceeding the five-to-ten-day limit prescribed under Section 8 of the NSA.
She further claimed that the delay prevented Wangchuk from making an effective representation before the advisory board, violating provisions under Section 11 of the Act. According to her, several grounds of detention were based on outdated videos, some over a year old, and multiple FIRs cited against Wangchuk either did not name him or were never pursued through formal inquiries.
Angmo also alleged that the detention order issued by the district magistrate was a direct reproduction of the police proposal, without independent application of mind — a factor she said has been repeatedly rejected by courts in previous judgments.
While appreciating the few parliamentarians who raised Wangchuk’s detention during the recent parliamentary session, including Ladakh MP Mohmad Haneefa, Angmo expressed disappointment over the limited discussion on the issue. She noted that Haneefa’s microphone was muted while he attempted to speak.
She emphasised that the legal challenge is not politically motivated but criticised the repeated delays caused by the government. “The Solicitor General keeps seeking more dates. It appears they know the case has no merit,” she said, adding that hearings, though delayed, are still progressing faster than in many other cases.
Angmo also expressed concern over growing polarisation in society and urged citizens to think beyond political and ideological divisions. “We must act as conscious citizens of an independent India, guided by wisdom rather than narratives,” she said.
Speaking about their educational initiatives — the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL), and SECMOL — Angmo praised their leadership teams for maintaining continuity despite the crisis. However, she acknowledged that several upcoming projects, including teacher training programmes and a K–12 school initiative, have been delayed due to the case.
She further revealed that some funding partners have informed her of pressure being exerted on them to withdraw support. Despite this, Angmo said public awareness about their institutions has grown significantly, expressing optimism about future support once the situation stabilises.
