The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to the Centre and the Union Territory of Ladakh over a petition filed by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, challenging his detention under the National Security Act (NSA) and seeking his immediate release.
A bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and N. V. Anjaria sought a response from the authorities but declined to pass any interim order on providing the grounds of detention to Wangchuk’s wife. The matter has been listed for further hearing on October 14.
Wangchuk, known for his environmental activism and advocacy for Ladakh’s autonomy, was detained under the stringent NSA on September 26 — two days after protests demanding statehood and inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule turned violent, leaving four people dead and over 90 injured.
The activist is currently lodged in Jodhpur jail in Rajasthan. His detention has sparked widespread debate and concern among civil society groups and human rights advocates, who have termed the action an attempt to silence dissent in the Union Territory.
