Sonam Wangchuk’s wife moves Supreme Court against his detention under NSA

Gitanjali Angmo, wife of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, has moved the Supreme Court challenging her husband’s detention under the National Security Act (NSA), following last month’s violent clashes during the Ladakh statehood agitation in Leh.

“I have sought relief from the Supreme Court of India through a HABEAS CORPUS petition against Wangchuk’s detention,” she said in a post on X.

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Angmo said that even a week after his arrest, she has not been informed about Wangchuk’s health or the specific grounds under which he has been detained. The petition is expected to be listed for urgent hearing once the Supreme Court reopens on October 6 after the Dussehra vacation.

The government detained Wangchuk under the NSA after violence erupted during the Ladakh statehood protest last month, which resulted in at least four deaths and injuries to around 80 people. Authorities have accused Wangchuk of inciting the violence.

Angmo claimed that a “fabricated narrative” is being constructed to malign Wangchuk’s image with an aim to discredit his statehood movement for Ladakh and constitutional protections.

Ladakh LG defends government action against Wangchuk

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Kavinder Gupta has defended the action against Wangchuk, saying the detention was based on concrete evidence.

“The action has been taken based on evidence. It’s their right to go to court or elsewhere. It falls under fundamental rights, so that’s fine. But action will be taken based on evidence,” LG Gupta said.

He also said that the situation in Ladakh has been brought under control and everything will be completely normal within a couple of days.

“For the past four days, from 10 am until 6 pm, people have been moving freely. Vehicles are running normally. Even today, commercial vehicles are allowed. All educational centres up to the eighth grade have been opened. So, after a day or two, everything will be completely normal, he said.