New Delhi : The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice on a writ petition filed by Gitanjali J. Angmo, wife of Sonam Wangchuk, who challenged the detention of the Leh-based climate activist under the National Security Act (NSA). Meanwhile, the case drew immediate attention from legal observers across the country.
A Bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria directed the Union government and other authorities to respond to the plea. Additionally, the Bench emphasized the importance of providing clarity on the detention grounds.
Representing the Centre, Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta stated that the government had already supplied the grounds of detention to Wangchuk. However, when senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Wangchuk, pointed out that no family member had received them, SG Mehta replied, “The law requires service on the detenue, and we have done that. Nevertheless, we will examine the feasibility of serving it to his wife.”
In its order, the Justice Kumar-led Bench instructed the Centre to consider supplying the detention order to Sonam Wangchuk’s wife, noting that authorities had already served the grounds of detention to the detenue.
Furthermore, Sibal raised the issue that Wangchuk’s wife had not been allowed to meet him.
In response, the Centre’s law officer said, “Let’s not create a hype. Nobody has been stopped. The lawyer and the detenue’s brother have met him in jail.” At the same time, SG Mehta added that the authorities were considering Wangchuk’s wife’s request for a meeting.
He further informed the apex court that Sonam Wangchuk told the medical officer he was not taking any medications, describing the reports as “all hype” meant to create “an emotive atmosphere” in the media.
Nevertheless, the Justice Kumar-led Bench directed that the detenue must receive required medical attention in accordance with prison rules.
The court scheduled the next hearing for Tuesday.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs blamed Sonam Wangchuk for inciting violence in Leh town. Previously, Wangchuk had been on a hunger strike since September 10, and when violence erupted, he ended his fast and left the spot in an ambulance.
Subsequently, police detained the activist under the NSA and moved him to Jodhpur jail in Rajasthan.
Security forces opened fire in self-defence when protesters pelted stones and torched a CRPF vehicle, which resulted in the deaths of four civilians.
Wangchuk, a prominent activist from Ladakh, commands wide respect for his work in education, environmental conservation, and social causes. Moreover, he has consistently advocated for education reforms and sustainable development in Ladakh.
Over the years, he has earned national and international recognition for his efforts to develop low-cost schooling models, promote environmental awareness, and inspire scientific innovation among students. In addition, his work continues to influence policymakers and educators across the region.
–IANS
