Sonam Wangchuk’s wife challenges his detention under the NSA in the Supreme Court, calling it illegal and a violation of fundamental rights. The plea argues his arrest is based on stale allegations and aims to silence dissent, not address security. Wangchuk’s wife also appealed to the President, alleging a ‘witch-hunt’. Images/Agencies NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court is set to hear on Monday a plea filed by Sonam Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali J Angmo. The plea challenges the climate activist’s detention under the stringent National Security Act (NSA) as illegal and an arbitrary exercise violating his fundamental rights.The matter will be heard before a bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and NV Anjaria. The top court had earlier, on October 29, sought responses from the Centre and the Ladakh administration on the amended plea filed by Angmo.Wangchuk was detained on September 26, two days after violent protests in Leh demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh resulted in four deaths and over 90 injuries. Authorities have alleged that Wangchuk incited the unrest. He was transferred to a jail in Jodhpur, Rajasthan and booked under the NSA, which allows preventive detention of individuals deemed a threat to national security for a maximum of 12 months.The amended plea filed by Gitanjali Angmo contends that Wangchuk’s detention is “founded upon stale FIRs, vague imputations, and speculative assertions, lacks any live or proximate connection to the purported grounds of detention and is thus devoid of any legal or factual justification”.The plea further highlights that Wangchuk, a recognized educator and climate activist for over three decades, has been subjected to a series of coordinated actions including notices for land lease cancellation, FCRA cancellation, a CBI investigation and summons from the Income Tax Department. According to the petition, these actions appear to be aimed at silencing a citizen exercising his democratic right to dissent rather than addressing genuine security concerns.The petition also highlights Wangchuk’s condemnation of the violence on social media. It quotes him saying it was “the saddest day of his life” and that such unrest would undermine Ladakh’s ongoing five-year peaceful pursuit, or “tapasya,” for development.Moreover, the plea points out that the complete grounds of Wangchuk’s detention were only supplied after 28 days. This, it says, is in clear violation of Section 8 of the NSA, which mandates communication within five days, extendable to ten in exceptional circumstances.Earlier, on October 6, the Supreme Court had issued notice to the Centre and Ladakh administration on a habeas corpus plea filed by Gitanjali Angmo, seeking Wangchuk’s immediate release.Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the government, maintained that “law has been followed and grounds of detention supplied to Wangchuk.” However, the bench refused to pass any order on providing the grounds at the time and posted the matter for further hearing.Gitanjali Angmo has also approached President Droupadi Murmu seeking intervention, alleging a “witch-hunt” against her husband for advocating the people of Ladakh and raising concerns over police actions in the Union Territory after the September 24 violence. She compared the situation to colonial-era oppression, claiming misuse of Ladakh police by the Union home ministry.”Is India really free? In 1857, 24,000 Britishers used 135,000 Indian sepoys to oppress 300 million Indians under orders from the Queen. Today, a dozen administrators are misusing 2400 Ladakhi police to oppress and torture 3 lakh Ladakhis under the orders of the MHA,” Gitanjali wrote on X.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos”Govt Is Making Sure Muslims Never Raise Their Heads”: Jamiat Chief On Al-Falah ActionIAF Officer Namansh Syal Flown Back to India After Tejas Jet Crash in Dubai Air ShowShah Rukh Khan Pays Tribute To Victims Of Pahalgam And Delhi Blasts at Global Peace Honours 2025Piyush Goyal Completes Three Day Israel Visit Emphasizing Strengthened Ties And Future CooperationTrump Says He Brokered Eight Peace Deals Including India And Pakistan During Mamdani MeetUP Gears Up For Biggest Crackdown Yet As CM Yogi Mandates Detention Hubs For Illegal ImmigrantsModi, Meloni Share Warm Laughter on G20 Sidelines in Johannesburg‘In memory of our brothers’: Russian Pilot’s Heartfelt Note For Indian Tejas Pilot After Dubai Crash’Objective Is To Destroy The Enemy’: Op Sindoor Echoes As Indian Army Vows Stronger Response to PakIndian Army Chief Reveals How A Trusted Orchestra Crushed Nine Targets in Operation Sindoor Blitz123PhotostoriesNaga Chaitanya birthday special: A look at adorable social media moments with wife Sobhita DhulipalaTrailblazing Bollywood women who changed what it means to be a heroine on screenDelhi to Get 20 New Parking Facilities as MCD Targets Roadside Parking CrisisWalking: 5 reasons why this simple exercise is good for womenDipika Kakar and Shoaib Ibrahim’s love story: From filming together to battling through cancer as one teamSmriti Mandhana and Palash Muchhal wedding: Fun facts about India’s century queen and the youngest composerSadhguru’s top 6 parenting tips for new-generation parentsThe amazing benefits of okra water (and how to consume it without getting icky)Smriti Mandhana and Palash Muchhal: The couple’s most romantic pics that you must see ahead of their weddingForgotten Bollywood actor returns for one last big film chance123Hot PicksDelhi AQI TodayBihar Minister List 2025Bihar CM Oath CeremonyGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingAuston Matthews InjuryKim KardashianBrittany MahomesTaylor SwiftDelhi School AdmissionsSmriti MandhanaJosh Allen InjuryCharvarius WardFortnite Chapter 7 LeakedCade Cunningham
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court is set to hear on Monday a plea filed by Sonam Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali J Angmo. The plea challenges the climate activist’s detention under the stringent National Security Act (NSA) as illegal and an arbitrary exercise violating his fundamental rights.The matter will be heard before a bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and NV Anjaria. The top court had earlier, on October 29, sought responses from the Centre and the Ladakh administration on the amended plea filed by Angmo.Wangchuk was detained on September 26, two days after violent protests in Leh demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh resulted in four deaths and over 90 injuries. Authorities have alleged that Wangchuk incited the unrest. He was transferred to a jail in Jodhpur, Rajasthan and booked under the NSA, which allows preventive detention of individuals deemed a threat to national security for a maximum of 12 months.The amended plea filed by Gitanjali Angmo contends that Wangchuk’s detention is “founded upon stale FIRs, vague imputations, and speculative assertions, lacks any live or proximate connection to the purported grounds of detention and is thus devoid of any legal or factual justification”.The plea further highlights that Wangchuk, a recognized educator and climate activist for over three decades, has been subjected to a series of coordinated actions including notices for land lease cancellation, FCRA cancellation, a CBI investigation and summons from the Income Tax Department. According to the petition, these actions appear to be aimed at silencing a citizen exercising his democratic right to dissent rather than addressing genuine security concerns.The petition also highlights Wangchuk’s condemnation of the violence on social media. It quotes him saying it was “the saddest day of his life” and that such unrest would undermine Ladakh’s ongoing five-year peaceful pursuit, or “tapasya,” for development.Moreover, the plea points out that the complete grounds of Wangchuk’s detention were only supplied after 28 days. This, it says, is in clear violation of Section 8 of the NSA, which mandates communication within five days, extendable to ten in exceptional circumstances.Earlier, on October 6, the Supreme Court had issued notice to the Centre and Ladakh administration on a habeas corpus plea filed by Gitanjali Angmo, seeking Wangchuk’s immediate release.Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the government, maintained that “law has been followed and grounds of detention supplied to Wangchuk.” However, the bench refused to pass any order on providing the grounds at the time and posted the matter for further hearing.Gitanjali Angmo has also approached President Droupadi Murmu seeking intervention, alleging a “witch-hunt” against her husband for advocating the people of Ladakh and raising concerns over police actions in the Union Territory after the September 24 violence. She compared the situation to colonial-era oppression, claiming misuse of Ladakh police by the Union home ministry.“Is India really free? In 1857, 24,000 Britishers used 135,000 Indian sepoys to oppress 300 million Indians under orders from the Queen. Today, a dozen administrators are misusing 2400 Ladakhi police to oppress and torture 3 lakh Ladakhis under the orders of the MHA,” Gitanjali wrote on X.
