New Delhi: Gitanjali Angmo, wife of climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk, has approached the Supreme Court challenging his detention under the National Security Act (NSA) by the Ladakh administration.
In a post on X, Angmo expressed concern about the lack of information regarding her husband’s health and the grounds of his detention. “It has been one week today. Still, I have no information about Sonam Wangchuk’s health, the condition he is in, nor the grounds of detention,” she wrote.
Wangchuk’s arrest came days after violent clashes broke out in Leh during protests demanding statehood for Ladakh and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. He has been a leading voice in the movement, calling for greater autonomy and protection of Ladakh’s environment and culture.
Angmo has accused the government of conducting a “witch-hunt” and projecting her husband as an “anti-national” to weaken the statehood movement. She pointed out that Wangchuk had already clarified charges raised by agencies, including the CBI and the Income Tax Department, but “a smokescreen is being created to defame him.”
Authorities have cited his visit to Pakistan for a climate change conference earlier this year as one of the triggers behind the allegations. Responding to this, Angmo said, “What is wrong with that? In February, UN and Dawn Media had organised a climate conference. Sonam even praised Prime Minister Modi’s ‘Mission Life’ initiative on that platform.”
Ladakh’s Director General of Police, SD Singh Jamwal, stated that Wangchuk was under investigation in connection with the recent arrest of a Pakistani intelligence operative, who allegedly circulated videos of the activist’s protests across the border. Angmo countered, asking, “If they claim a Pakistani was spotted in Ladakh, how did you allow such a security breach? This is not for Sonam to clarify. The Ministry of Home Affairs must answer.”
Following his detention, Wangchuk was transferred to Jodhpur Central Jail, where he is currently lodged. The Supreme Court is expected to hear Angmo’s plea in the coming days.
