The Supreme Court will hear on Monday a petition filed by Gitanjali J Angmo challenging the detention of her husband, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, under the National Security Act.
Angmo has described the detention as “illegal, and an arbitrary exercise violating his fundamental rights”. The matter is expected to be taken up by a bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria. The petition argues that the use of the National Security Act in this case lacks justification and seeks Wangchuk’s immediate release. Wangchuk, known for his environmental campaigns in Ladakh, has been in custody under the preventive detention law.
The Supreme Court had earlier deferred the hearing on 24 November after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre and the Union Territory of Ladakh, sought additional time to reply to Angmo’s rejoinder. Court officials said the bench will consider the submissions made by both sides and decide on the next course of action. The case has drawn public attention due to Wangchuk’s prominent role in climate activism and his appeals for sustainable development measures in the Himalayan region.
Angmo maintains that her husband’s work focuses on environmental protection and community welfare, and has urged the court to examine the legality of the detention order.
The outcome of the hearing is likely to determine whether the court issues further directions or seeks a detailed response from the authorities regarding the grounds of detention.
