SC notice to Centre, Ladakh UT on wife's plea challenging detention

PTI, October 6, 2025 : The Supreme Court on Monday sought a response from the Centre and the Union Territory of Ladakh on a plea filed by Gitanjali J. Angmo, wife of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, challenging his detention under the National Security Act (NSA) and seeking his immediate release.

A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N. V. Anjaria declined to pass any order on providing the grounds of detention to Wangchuk’s wife and posted the matter for further hearing on October 14.

Wangchuk was detained under the stringent NSA on September 26, two days after protests demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh turned violent, leaving four people dead and 90 injured in the Union Territory.

He is currently lodged in Jodhpur Jail in Rajasthan.

Agencies:  The Supreme Court of India has issued a notice to the Central Government and the Ladakh Union Territory administration in response to a habeas corpus petition filed by Gitanjali J. Angmo, wife of Ladakhi activist Sonam Wangchuk, challenging his detention under the National Security Act (NSA). 

Angmo’s petition alleges that Wangchuk’s detention is “illegal, arbitrary and unconstitutional,” and raises concerns over violations of his fundamental rights under Articles 14, 19, 21, and 22 of the Constitution.  She seeks immediate production of Wangchuk before the Supreme Court, quashing of the detention order, and a direction to furnish the grounds of detention—asserting that neither she nor legal counsel have been provided with the grounds.  

During the Monday hearing before a bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria, the Court directed that the Solicitor General examine the feasibility of supplying a copy of the detention grounds to Angmo, noting that the grounds had already been served to Wangchuk himself.  The Court also assured that Angmo should be granted access to her husband, directing compliance with prison rules.  

The Court further questioned why the plea was filed directly in the Supreme Court rather than first being brought to a High Court.  No interim orders were passed, and the matter has been listed for further hearing on October 14.  

Wangchuk was detained on September 26, 2025, after protests in Leh demanding statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule turned violent, resulting in multiple casualties. T He is currently lodged in Jodhpur Central Jail, Rajasthan.  

The Supreme Court’s notice underscores the sensitive legal and civil rights issues at play in the case, which has drawn national attention amid ongoing debates over autonomy, protest, and state response in Ladakh.