NEW DELHI: The legal battle over the detention of renowned climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has reached the Supreme Court, as his wife, Geetanjali Angmo, filed a petition seeking his immediate release. Wangchuk was taken into custody under the National Security Act (NSA) following violent protests in Ladakh late last month.
Wangchuk, a prominent voice in Ladakh’s movement for greater autonomy, was detained on September 26—just two days after demonstrations in the Union Territory turned violent, leaving four people dead and nearly 90 injured. He is currently being held in Jodhpur Central Jail in Rajasthan.
In the petition, Angmo has challenged the grounds of his detention, arguing that the application of the NSA is unwarranted and violates constitutional safeguards. Filed through advocate Sarvam Ritam Khare, the plea claims that neither she nor Wangchuk’s legal team has been provided a copy of the official detention order, which is required under law. She also stated that she has been unable to communicate with her husband since his arrest.
The protests in question stem from long-standing demands for Ladakh to be granted statehood and brought under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which would ensure protections for the region’s land, culture, and resources. Wangchuk, known for his environmental activism and alternative education initiatives, has played a key role in advocating for these demands.
Meanwhile, the Ladakh administration has denied any irregularities in the arrest. In a recent statement, officials rejected allegations that Wangchuk was being targeted or framed, asserting that all procedures had been followed in accordance with the law.
The Supreme Court is expected to hear the matter in the coming days. The case has already attracted national attention, with human rights groups and civil society organizations raising concerns over the use of the NSA against activists.
