The Ladakh Administration also rejected allegations of a “witch-hunt” against Wangchuk
The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to the BJP-led Centre, the Ladakh Administration and others on climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali Angmo’s petition, challenging his detention under the National Security Act (NSA). A bench comprising Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice NV Anjaria stated that the matter will be heard on next Tuesday—October 14. Meanwhile, the Centre and Union Territory of Ladakh told the apex court that the plea was aimed at “creating hype” around Wangchuk’s detention, according to reports.
Detained two days after the September-24 violent clashes between protesters demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh and the police, Wangchuk is currently lodged in Jodhpur jail in Rajasthan. Four people died while 90 were injured in the clashes.
Terming it “illegal, arbitrary, and unconstitutional”, Angmo has contended that the detention order violated her husband’s fundamental rights under the Constitution. Appearing on behalf of Angmo, senior advocate Kapil Sibal demanded the grounds of detention should be served on her. “According to the judgment of this court, family members are also to be given the grounds of detention. We have not been supplied with the grounds, and the wife is not being allowed to meet him,” he was quoted as saying.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the grounds of detention had already been served on Wangchuk and that there was no legal requirement for them to be communicated to his wife, however, he agreed to examine the feasibility of serving the grounds to Angimo, according to reports. Mehta also accused Angimo of trying to create a“hype” and making it an “emotive issue” by alleging that her husband was denied medical aid and meetings with his wife. On the issue of medical aid, Mehta said that on being produced for medical examination, Wangchuk said he was not on any medication. He, however, assured the Bench that if any medical supplies were needed, they would be ensured.
The Ladakh Administration also rejected allegations of a “witch-hunt” against Wangchuk.
After reaching out to President Droupadi Murmu to seek her intervention for the release of her husband, Angmo last week moved the Supreme Court, seeking his release. In her habeas corpus petition, Angmo sought a direction to the Ladakh Union Territory Administration to “produce Sonam Wangchuk before this Hon’ble Court forthwith.” Demanding immediate access to her husband, Angmo also urged the top court to quash the preventive detention order.
Wangchuk emerged as the face of the campaign for statehood and the Sixth Schedule for Ladakh after the region was granted Union Territory status after its separation from Jammu and Kashmir under the Article 370. The noted climate activist and educator was accused by police of inciting violence, referring to his statements, especially reference to the “Arab Spring and Gez Z” protest.
Angmo, who is also the CEO of the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, on Thursday sharply criticised the BJP-led Centre, drawing parallels to colonial-era oppression and accused the Union Home Ministry of misusing the Ladakh Police to suppress public dissent. “Is India really free?” she questioned in a post on X, alleging that 2,400 Ladakhi police officers were deployed to control just 3 lakh civilians under the MHA’s direction.
