Sonam Wangchuk alleges incorrect translation of his speeches; Centre asks SC for time to respond

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta today asked Supreme Court for some time to respond to the allegations made by Sonam Wangchuk that the transcripts of the videos cited against him by the detaining authority are incorrect.

Notably, Wangchuk's wife Gitanjali J Angmo objected to the Central government's request in the case filed by her against Wangchuk's detention under the National Security Act (NSA).

"There’s a video of 40 minutes. I have something to say on the contention that the translations are wrong," Mehta told a bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and PB Varale.

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Angmo, argued that the authorities failed to respond to allegations in the counter affidavit and now cannot be given more time respond.

However, the bench listed the case for further hearing on February 23 to hear SG Mehta. Court had earlier asked the Centre to supply to it in a pen drive the videos cited in the detention order. The pen drive was provided to court today.

Last week Supreme Court was told that there is nothing alarming about the health conditions of Sonam Wangchuk, who is currently detained under the National Security Act (NSA). "We have examined the health aspect..he hass some digestive issues..but nothing to be alarmed..it wont be possible or desirable..We gave utmost consideration..", Solicitor General Tushar Mehta has stated.

Court had recently urged the Central government to review Wangchuk’s continued detention in light of his deteriorating health. The Bench had underscored that habeas corpus petitions require expeditious consideration, given that they directly concern personal liberty.

The court also heard the submissions made by Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj who argued that ground realities cannot be assessed by person sitting elsewhere. ASG Nataraj, on court's observation that Wangchuk cited Gandhian ways, said, "We can't pick a particular sentence and say his is the Gandhian way..". He added that detaining authority has to examine the situation to prevent something untoward from happening.

SG Mehta also interjected at this juncture to add, "There is stark distinction between Wangchuk's speech and Gandhian principles..its CHALK and CHEESE..tomorrow a headline can come that your lordships compared him to Gandhiji..this health facade is a social media facade..attempts are being made, I do not want to legitimise it..".

The bench is hearing the habeas corpus petition challenging the detention of Sonam Wangchuk, filed by his wife Gitanjali Angmo, seeking a declaration that Wangchuk’s detention under the NSA is illegal.

Centre has told the court that NSA safeguards were fully complied with and that detention followed statutory review process. Earlier, the Solicitor General had argued that the Court’s scrutiny in preventive detention cases is limited. He submitted that judicial review must focus on the existence of reasons for detention and whether fair treatment was accorded, without examining the sufficiency of those reasons unless they are “totally alien” to the statute. “Every word used in the detention order has contextual meaning, and every State has region-specific sensitivities,” Mehta had said.

SG Mehta had also referred to the speeches made by Wangchuk and said, "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.."

In the petition before Supreme Court, Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo alleged that she is being followed and placed under surveillance by Intelligence Bureau officials and the Rajasthan Police both in Jodhpur and Delhi, calling it a violation of her fundamental rights under Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution. Angmo stated that she was escorted from the airport by IB and police officers who insisted she travel with them in a vehicle with white curtains drawn to block the view. According to the affidavit, the officers remained with her throughout the visit, including inside the office of the Jail Superintendent, and did not allow her to move freely in Jodhpur.

Angmo has challenged Wangchuk’s continued detention as “illegal and politically motivated”, alleging that the invocation of the NSA is an attempt to stifle peaceful protest and dissent. Wangchuk, known for his environmental activism in Ladakh, was detained following a series of demonstrations demanding constitutional safeguards for the Union Territory.

On October 6, 2025, the Court has issued notice in the plea. According to the petition, Wangchuk, an internationally acclaimed innovator and social reformer, was detained on September 26, 2025, by the Deputy Commissioner, Leh, while he was recovering from a prolonged fast undertaken to demand constitutional safeguards for Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule. He was subsequently shifted to Central Jail, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, without being furnished the grounds of detention.

Case Title: Dr. Gitanjali J. Angmo vs. Union of India & Ors.

Bench: Justices Aravind Kumar and PB Varale

Hearing Date: February 19, 2026