Sonam Wangchuk was detained on September 26, 2025, under the NSA, following which his wife approached the Supreme Court.
Sonam Wangchuk Hearing News Updates: The Supreme Court on Monday heard the plea filed by Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali J Angmo challenging his detention. A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and P B Varale heard the matter.
What happened in the hearing? Senior advocate Kapil Sibal appearing for Angmo submitted on February 16 that the detaining authority relied upon incorrect transcripts of the videos of Wangchuk’s speeches. He argued that the detaining authority had relied upon non-existing material since the transcripts of what transpired in the context of the speeches made by Wangchuk is not reflected on what is stated by him. The court directed production of pen drive given to Wangchuk after Sibal had claimed that four videos of his speeches cited by the detaining authority against Wangchuk were not supplied to him.
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Earlier, the Additional Solicitor-General KM Nataraj appearing for the Centre had informed the court that there was complete application of mind by the detaining authorities while detaining Wangchuk. He also submitted that after Wangchuk’s detention the agitation and violence came under control. The top court questioned the Centre on climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s claim that he was not given the four videos based on which the detaining authorities had detained him under the National Security Act (NSA), 1980.
What is the case against Wangchuk?Wangchuk was detained on September 26, 2025, under the NSA, which empowers governments to act pre-emptively against individuals seen as a threat to public order or national security. He was later shifted to Jodhpur. His detention came two days after violent protests demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh left four people dead and 90 injured in the Union territory. The government had accused him of inciting the violence.
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