MHA Revokes Sonam Wangchuk's Detention; Reiterates Commitment To Provide All Necessary Safeguards For Ladakh

The Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to revoke the detention of Sonam Wangchuk with immediate effect. While doing so the Government has reiterated its commitment to providing all necessary safeguards for Ladakh and it remains hopeful that the issues concerning the region will be resolved through constructive engagement and dialogue, including through the mechanism of the High-Powered Committee as well as other appropriate platforms.

In the backdrop of the serious law and order situation that arose in the peace-loving town of Leh on 24 September 2025, Sonam Wangchuk was detained on 26 September 2025 under the provisions of the National Security Act (NSA) pursuant to an order issued by the District Magistrate, Leh, with a view to maintaining public order. Wangchuk has already undergone nearly half of the period of detention under the said Act.

Since then, the Government has been actively engaging with various stakeholders and community leaders in Ladakh with a view to addressing the aspirations and concerns of the people of the region. The Press Release notes that the prevailing atmosphere of bandhs and protests has been detrimental to the peace-loving character of the society and has adversely affected various sections of the community, including students, job aspirants, businesses, tour operators and tourists and overall economy.

"The Government remains committed to fostering an environment of peace, stability, and mutual trust in Ladakh so as to facilitate constructive and meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders. In furtherance of this objective, and after due consideration, the Government has decided to revoke the detention of Shri Sonam Wangchuk with immediate effect by exercising the powers available under the National Security Act," the MHA has said.

In October last year, Gitanjali J Angmo, wife of Wangchuk, had approached the Supreme Court seeking his immediate release from Jodhpur jail, where he has been lodged under the National Security Act (NSA) since September 26.

Her plea was filed a week after Wangchuk’s detention following violent clashes in Leh town on September 24, which left four dead and several injured during protests demanding statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

Angmo had filed a habeas corpus petition challenging the detention, saying she has not been informed of her husband’s health condition or the grounds for his arrest.

She had also written to President Droupadi Murmu seeking intervention, alleging a “witch-hunt” against Wangchuk for his activism over the past four years. She also accused the Centre of “misusing” the Ladakh Police to “torture” locals after the violence, drawing parallels with colonial-era oppression. After being detained by the Deputy Commissioner, Leh, while he was recovering from a prolonged fast undertaken to demand constitutional safeguards for Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule, Wangchuk was subsequently shifted to Central Jail, Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre vehemently opposed the petition filed by Angmo before the Supreme Court, and referred to the speeches made by Wangchuk saying, "This is a call for secessionist activity..Ladakh is essential to the supply chain for the forces at our border..He says Arab Uprise is the ideal, Bangladesh is the ideal, Nepal is the ideal...We know what kind of a change came in Bangladesh and Nepal...he wants that to happen in Ladakh..In a country united by the bond of Constitution..there is no 'their' government..its our government..".

Solicitor had further objected to Wangchuk's statements on India Army saying, "He is sitting in a region which has a border with Pakistan and China and says Indian Army, not my Army..he says Indian Army is weak because of Ladakhis out of the Sikh regiment..".

Before a bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and Prasanna B. Varale the Centre had justified the preventive detention on grounds of public order and regional security in a sensitive border area.

Court was also informed that there was nothing alarming about the health conditions of Sonam Wangchuk as SG submitted, "We have examined the health aspect..he has some digestive issues..but nothing to be alarmed..it wont be possible or desirable..We gave utmost consideration..".