The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to the Union government and the Ladakh Administration over a petition filed by Gitanjali Angmo, wife of renowned Ladakhi activist Sonam Wangchuk, challenging his detention under the National Security Act (NSA).
A bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and N. V. Anjaria took up the matter and directed the respondents to file their replies. The case has been listed for the next hearing on October 14.
Kapil Sibal Questions Validity Of Detention
Appearing for Angmo, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal argued that Wangchuk’s detention was unlawful and that the authorities had not provided adequate justification. He further asserted that the grounds of detention should also be shared with the wife to ensure transparency.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Ladakh Administration, countered that all relevant grounds had already been provided to the detainee. He informed the court that Wangchuk’s lawyer and brother had met him in jail, and that Angmo’s request to meet him was currently being considered by the authorities.
Petition Alleges ‘Targeted Campaign’ Against Activist
In her plea, Angmo accused the administration of running a “systematic campaign” to malign Wangchuk’s image by linking him to foreign entities.
The petition stated, “Along with the illegal detention of Shri Sonam Wangchuk, a systematic, untruthful and false campaign has been unleashed against him and his colleagues.”
It further alleged that “a blasphemous narrative suggesting links with Pakistan and China is being intentionally floated in certain quarters with the sole object of defaming, maligning and discrediting a peaceful Gandhian movement for the protection of Ladakh, its fragile ecology, its mountains, glaciers, and the livelihood of its people.”
‘Environmental Activism Branded As Anti-National’
Angmo’s plea expressed concern that peaceful activism was being painted as anti-national, calling the allegations “baseless and dangerous.”
“Such malicious propaganda is not only baseless but dangerous, as it seeks to stigmatise democratic dissent and portray environmental activism as anti-national, when in reality Shri Wangchuk has consistently worked for strengthening national unity and has been a supporter of the Indian Army through innovations such as high-altitude shelters and grassroots mobilisation in border areas,” it said.
The petition added that his detention “is not only an affront to his rights but is inflicting a profound emotional injury on the collective conscience of Ladakh.”
Angmo underscored Wangchuk’s long-standing commitment to non-violent and Gandhian methods in drawing attention to Ladakh’s environmental and constitutional issues.
The petition read, “He has consistently advocated peaceful and Gandhian methods to highlight the plight of Ladakh’s ecology, fragile environment, melting glaciers, as well as the aspirations of its people for constitutional safeguards under 6th Schedule protection and meaningful autonomy.”
Background
Wangchuk was detained on September 26 under the NSA, which permits preventive detention of individuals perceived as threats to national security or public order. Following his arrest, he was transferred to Jodhpur jail.
(Inputs By Sambhav Sharma)
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