Sonam Wangchuk: Centre Defends Detention in SC, ‘No Rights Violated’
SC permits Sonam Wangchuk’s notes to be handed over to his wife Gitanjali Angmo
The Supreme Court on Wednesday heard Gitanjali J. Angmo, wife of Sonam Wangchuk, in her plea challenging his detention under the National Security Act (NSA), during which Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Union of India, firmly defended the government’s actions and denied any violation of the detainee’s rights.
The Bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria took note of submissions made by both sides.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Wangchuk’s wife raised concerns that notes prepared by Wangchuk for his legal defence were not allowed to be passed on to her. Sibal sought permission for these notes to be delivered, stating they were necessary for legal consultation.
Solicitor General Mehta, however, clarified that there was “no difficulty” in allowing the notes to be shared, and the government had no objection to furnishing them through the Jail Superintendent. He added that Wangchuk had already met his lawyers twice and his wife once, indicating that ample legal access had been provided.
“My answer is yes, there’s no issue with giving the notes. But my concern is that sometimes a delay of even two days in making a representation is cited as a ground to challenge detention,” Mehta told the Bench, stressing the need to maintain procedural safeguards under preventive detention laws.
The Solicitor General also informed the Court that the detainee’s elder brother and counsel had met him on October 4, and that an affidavit by the jail authorities had already been filed.
The Bench took the clarification on record and observed that it would not express any opinion at this stage.
The Court recorded that the Solicitor General had no objection to sharing Wangchuk’s notes with his wife but directed that such material be transmitted through the Jail Superintendent.
Justice Kumar concluded the hearing by wishing Wangchuk good health and directing that the material may be furnished to his wife through the jail authorities.
The matter has been posted for further hearing on October 29, 2025.
As per PTI reports, the Leh District Magistrate in an affidavit has told the Apex Court that climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s detention under the National Security Act on September 26 was lawful, citing his alleged role in inciting violence in Ladakh. The DM has confirmed Wangchuk was informed of his detention, the grounds were communicated, and the order forwarded to the Advisory Board.
Notably, in a fresh affidavit filed before the Supreme Court, Gitanjali J. Angmo has 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.
She alleged that during her meeting with Wangchuk, DCP Manglesh and a lady constable sat within earshot, took notes of their conversation, and later, on the instruction of the Jail Superintendent, photographed her private legal notes prepared for Wangchuk’s legal defence. Angmo also claimed she was prevented from meeting anyone or visiting other places in Jodhpur and was escorted to the railway station, where the officers even boarded her train and travelled for two hours before alighting at Merta Road Junction.
The petition challenges 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.
Previously, on October 6, 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. The plea alleges that Wangchuk was denied basic rights; including access to his wife, lawyer, and essential medicines, and that his detention constitutes a “blatant violation” of Articles 14, 19, 21, and 22 of the Constitution. The petition further states that the arbitrary transfer to Jodhpur, harassment of students and staff of the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives (HIAL), and alleged “false propaganda” linking Wangchuk to foreign entities reflect malafide state action aimed at suppressing democratic dissent and peaceful environmental activism.
Dr. Angmo has also highlighted the growing distress among the people of Ladakh following Wangchuk’s detention. The petition refers to the recent suicide of a member of the Ladakh Buddhist Association, reportedly due to depression after Wangchuk’s arrest, calling it evidence of the “psychological toll” on the community.
Case Title: Dr. Gitanjali J. Angmo v. Union of India & Ors.
Hearing Date: October 15, 2025
Bench: Justices Aravind Kumar and NV Anjaria