• Source:JND
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Sonam Wangchuk Arrest: Ladakhi innovator and environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, on Wednesday stated on Wednesday that his spirits remain resolute in the face of legal action, as his legal team prepares to challenge a detention order issued against him.

Sonam Wangchuk, a climate activist and social worker, has been held in Jodhpur Central Jail for the past 11 days. His wife, Gitanjali, met him for the first time since his arrest on Tuesday, accompanied by lawyer Ritam Khare.

After the meeting with Wangchuk and his legal counsel, Gitanjali noted that while the detention order has been received, Wangchuk’s dedication to his cause remains unbroken.

"We got the detention order, which we will challenge. His spirit is undaunted. His commitment is resolute! His resilience intact! He conveys heartfelt thanks to all for their support and solidarity," she wrote on X.

She also thanked supporters nationwide. Wangchuk was detained on September 24 under the National Security Act (NSA) following violent protests in Ladakh that led to four deaths and nearly two dozen injuries.

Prior to Gitanjali’s visit, Wangchuk’s elder brother, Tsetan Dorjay, and Mustafa Haji, legal advisor to the Leh Apex Body, also visited him in jail.

The Supreme Court on Monday sought a response from the Centre and the Union Territory of Ladakh on a writ petition filed by Gitanjali, challenging his detention under the National Security Act and seeking his immediate release.

The Supreme Court also issued a notice to the Centre and Ladakh administration, questioning the basis for Wangchuk’s ongoing detention and asking why he could not be released immediately. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Gitanjali, requested that the arrest order be shared with the family and that permission for a jail visit be granted. The court clarified that it would consider the matter only if a formal request to meet was denied.

A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria declined to issue an order on Gitanjali’s plea for the grounds of detention and scheduled the next hearing for October 14.

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Wangchuk Was Detained Under NSA

Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) on September 26, following violent protests on September 24 demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh, which resulted in four deaths and 90 injuries. The government accused him of inciting the violence.

During the protests, a BJP office was set ablaze, and several police officers were injured. The Ladakh administration has accused Wangchuk of instigating violence, encouraging self-immolation, and financial misconduct.

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The NSA allows the Centre and states to detain individuals to prevent actions "prejudicial to the defence of India," with a maximum detention period of 12 months, though it can be lifted earlier.

Wangchuk is currently held in Jodhpur jail in Rajasthan. The Supreme Court directed the authorities to address Wangchuk’s medical needs as per prison regulations.

In an earlier plea filed through senior lawyer Vivek Tankha and lawyer Sarvam Ritam Khare, Gitanjali challenged the use of the NSA against Wangchuk, which permits detention without trial for up to 12 months.