Today, On 7th January, The Supreme Court adjourned the hearing of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s petition challenging his detention under the National Security Act. The matter is now scheduled to continue tomorrow, with Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal set to present arguments.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court heard the petition filed by Gitanjali J. Angmo, challenging the detention of her husband, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, under the National Security Act (NSA).
The petition contends that his detention is unconstitutional and infringes on his fundamental rights.
A Bench consisting JUSTICE ARAVIND KUMAR and JUSTICE PRASANNA B. VARALE were reviewing the plea for Wangchuk’s release.
During the proceedings, the Bench inquired of Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the petitioner, about the time required for arguments, noting that “the matter was unlikely to conclude today.”
The Court also suggested whether the hearing could continue for another 10–15 minutes, given that several other matters were still listed.
The Bench observed that it had multiple matters pending and proposed that if the arguments could not be wrapped up shortly, the hearing could be continued the next day.
Snr Adv.Kapil Sibal agreed, noting that his arguments needed more time.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta intervened regarding the scheduling and informed the Court that he would be appearing virtually the next day.
He also pointed out that,
“Mr. Sibal may also not be able to complete arguments tomorrow, as another matter listed for the next day was part-heard and reserved for him.”
The Bench clarified that,
“This was acceptable but emphasized that “someone must be available to represent the Union in SG Mehta’s absence.”
SG Mehta confirmed that another counsel, Mr. Kumar, would be present to represent him.
The Supreme Court then fixed the matter for the next day at 2:00 PM and moved on to the next item on the board.
Before adjourning, the Bench also addressed a request related to playing a video, stating that “it would be taken up so that it could be shared with parties who were not present.”
The matter has been adjourned, and the hearing is set to continue tomorrow.
Earlier, On October 6, the court had issued notices to both the Centre and the Union Territory of Ladakh.
However, it declined to rule on Gitanjali’s request for the grounds of her husband’s detention, rescheduling the hearing for October 14.
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.”
She stated,
“A witch-hunt has been going on against us. We have given all documents clarifying the charges to officials from CBI, to the Income Tax Department, yet a smokescreen is being created to defame Sonam, so that the movement for the Sixth Schedule can be weakened.”
Her comments came after the Leh Police referenced Wangchuk’s visit to Pakistan and suggested he had connections to the neighbouring country.
Angmo responded,
“Sonam attended a conference in Pakistan. What is wrong with that? In February, UN and Dawn media had organised a conference on climate change… There was nothing wrong in that meeting, even though he praised PM Modi’s ‘Mission Life’ on the podium,”
Ladakh’s Director General of Police, SD Singh Jamwal, mentioned that Wangchuk is being investigated in relation to the recent arrest of a Pakistani intelligence operative who had circulated videos of his protests across the border.
n response, Angmo said,
“If they are claiming that a Pakistani was spotted in Ladakh, our question is ‘how did you allow the security breach’? This is not for Sonam Wangchuk to clarify MHA needs to clarify why a Pakistani was in Ladakh.”
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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