Today, On 26th February, The Supreme Court has postponed the hearing on the petition filed by Gitanjali J Angmo, wife of detained climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. The plea challenging his detention under the National Security Act has been rescheduled for March 10.
The Supreme Court postponed the hearing on a petition filed by Gitanjali J Angmo, wife of imprisoned climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, challenging his detention under the National Security Act (NSA) to March 10.
Justices Aravind Kumar and P. B. Varale remarked that they would review videos of Wangchuk’s speeches provided during the Holi vacation, stating,
“We wanted to see those pen drives. We have asked the Registrar IT to make arrangements during vacations.”
The top court confirmed it would complete the hearing on March 10 and reserve its decision. This matter was previously adjourned on February 23 when Solicitor General Tushar Mehta was unavailable.
Upon its reappearance for hearing, a lawyer for the Centre requested an adjournment, claiming Mehta was engaged in another court. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Angmo, strongly opposed this, insisting that the Centre should be allowed to submit written arguments.
The bench instructed the Centre’s lawyer to contact Mehta by 3:45 PM and postponed the session.
When the hearing resumed, Mehta reported to the bench and mentioned that a CD had been submitted, adding he would present arguments after the court viewed it.
The bench set the next hearing for March 10, stating it would review the footage then.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had inquired whether the government could reconsider Wangchuk’s detention, given his health status.
Additional Solicitor General K. M. Nataraj asserted that Wangchuk had been involved in violence in Leh on September 24 of the previous year, which resulted in four fatalities and 161 injuries. Both the Centre and the Ladakh administration informed the court that Wangchuk was detained for inciting unrest in a sensitive border region.
In defense of the detention, Mehta argued that all procedural safeguards had been adhered to under the NSA, which allows authorities to detain individuals to prevent actions detrimental to India’s defense. The maximum detention period is 12 months, although it can be revoked earlier.
The Centre alleged that Wangchuk sought to mobilize younger generations for protests akin to those in Nepal and Bangladesh. Mehta further claimed Wangchuk had referenced an Arab Spring-like uprising, which caused the fall of various governments in the Arab region.
Wangchuk, currently held in Jodhpur Central Jail, denied making any remarks suggesting the overthrow of the government in the style of the Arab Spring, emphasizing his democratic right to criticize and protest. Sibal contended that the police relied on “borrowed material” and selective videos to mislead the detaining authority.
Angmo has labeled Wangchuk’s detention as illegal and an arbitrary violation of his fundamental rights. He was taken into custody on September 26 last year, two days after violent protests for statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh led to four deaths in the Union Territory.
The government accused him of inciting the unrest.
Angmo’s plea argued that it is completely preposterous for Wangchuk to be targeted after more than three decades of recognition for his contributions to grassroots education, innovation, and environmental conservation both in Ladakh and across India.
She asserted that the violent events in Leh on September 24 could not be attributed to Wangchuk’s actions or statements, noting that he had publicly condemned the violence and stated that it would jeopardize Ladakh’s “tapasya” and peaceful pursuits over the past five years, calling it the saddest day of his life.
Earlier, Gitanjali Angmo, the wife of activist Sonam Wangchuk, has appealed to the Supreme Court against her husband’s detention under the National Security Act (NSA) by the Ladakh administration.
Wangchuk was detained shortly after violence erupted in Leh, where protestors advocating for statehood for Ladakh clashed with police. He has been a leading voice in the demand for statehood and the extension of the Sixth Schedule to the region.
Angmo has previously criticized the government regarding her husband’s detention, claiming “he is being portrayed as anti-national in a witch-hunt.”
The Ladakh Police apprehended activist Sonam Wangchuk and invoked the stringent National Security Act (NSA) just two days after the Union Territory experienced some of its worst violence in decades.
This unrest was triggered by protests demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule protections, which escalated into violent clashes.
Earlier, the Union home ministry revoked the license of his NGO under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, citing alleged violations. The MHA linked the mob violence and arson that occurred to “provocative” speeches made by Wangchuk, who referenced Arab Spring-style protests and the Gen Z movements in Nepal.
Wangchuk, however, contended that the government is fabricating a case to imprison him.
The alleged violations include depositing locally generated funds into SECMOL’s FCRA account, diverting funds for non-permissible activities such as studying the nation’s sovereignty, and failing to deposit foreign funds into the designated FCRA account.
The protests in Ladakh resulted in four fatalities and over 80 injuries, including among police personnel, on Wednesday. A curfew was imposed in Leh, vehicles were set on fire, and security forces resorted to firing tear gas and live rounds to disperse the crowds.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was on a hunger strike advocating for statehood and constitutional protections, terminated his fast as tensions escalated after two fellow hunger strikers collapsed and required hospitalization.
This turmoil occurred just days before scheduled talks between the Centre and the Leh Apex Body on October 6, which would be the first in four months. Sources from the Centre indicated that the government wanted Wangchuk excluded from the discussions, viewing him as an impediment.
The Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution outlines the governance of tribal areas in the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. It empowers local communities to play a significant role in the administration of these regions. The youth in Ladakh are advocating for their region to be governed under the protections of the Sixth Schedule.
According to this Schedule, an autonomous district can be subdivided by the governor if there are multiple Scheduled Tribes present. Each autonomous district is entitled to a District Council with no more than 30 members.
The governor is allowed to nominate up to four members, while the remaining members are elected through adult suffrage.
Furthermore, each autonomous region will have its own Regional Council.
Under the Sixth Schedule, in an autonomous district with Regional Councils, the District Council has powers limited to those delegated by the Regional Council, alongside the powers granted by the Schedule for specific areas.
The Schedule also details the legislative powers of the District Councils and Regional Councils regarding the administration of justice in these autonomous regions.
It specifies the delegation of powers under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, and the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, to the Regional and District Councils, as well as certain courts and officers for the adjudication of specific suits, cases, and offenses.
The Governor can dissolve a district or regional council based on recommendations from a Commission.
Case Title : Dr Gitanjali J. Angmo v. Union of India and others, Diary No. 56964/2025
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