• Source:JND
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The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to Centre and the Union Territory of Ladakh, Superintendent of Police Jodhpur Central jail, on a plea of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali Angmo, against his detention under the National Security Act (NSA) and seeking his release.

A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria issued notice to the Centre and the Ladakh Administration on a petition filed by Gitanjali Angmo, with the court scheduled to hear the matter again on October 14; appearing for Angmo, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal stated that they were opposing her detention.

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During the hearing before a bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that the detention order had been served on Wangchuk, who is currently lodged in Jodhpur Central Jail.

However, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Wangchuk’s wife, disputed the claim, stating that neither Wangchuk nor his family had received a copy of the grounds of detention. “We are against the detention," he submitted. Responding, Justice Kumar said, “The wife will definitely get access."

Sonam Wangchuk Arrest 

Wangchuk was taken into custody on September 26 under Section 3(2) of the NSA by the Deputy Commissioner of Leh, just two days after protests demanding Ladakh’s statehood and Sixth Schedule inclusion turned violent.

The unrest resulted in four deaths and multiple injuries. Two days later, Wangchuk was formally detained and transferred to the Central Jail in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

Sonam Wangchuk Wife Moved To SC 

1. On October 3, Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Angmo, approached the Supreme Court challenging her husband’s detention and seeking his immediate release.

2. The plea, filed through senior lawyer Vivek Tankha and lawyer Sarvam Ritam Khare, also questioned the invocation of the NSA against Wangchuk.

3. Gitanjali alleged that Wangchuk’s detention was “illegal, arbitrary, and unconstitutional," violating Articles 14, 19, 21, and 22 of the Constitution.

4. The plea highlighted Wangchuk’s reputation as an internationally acclaimed innovator, environmentalist, and social reformer who has always used peaceful, Gandhian methods to address Ladakh’s ecological and democratic concerns.

5. It stated that no grounds of detention have been provided to Wangchuk or his family to date.

6. Gitanjali also claimed she has been placed under virtual house arrest, while students and staff of the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL), face harassment, intimidation, and intrusive investigations.

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7. The petition sought the detention order, grounds of detention, all related records, Wangchuk’s medical report, and an immediate halt to the harassment of HIAL members and students.