New Delhi, Oct 6 (NationPress) The Supreme Court has issued a notice regarding a writ petition submitted by Gitanjali J. Angmo, the spouse of Sonam Wangchuk, contesting the detention of the climate activist from Leh under the National Security Act (NSA). A Bench led by Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria requested responses from the Union government and relevant authorities on this issue.

During the proceedings, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, stated that the grounds for Wangchuk's detention had already been communicated to him.

However, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who is defending Wangchuk, noted that no family member had been informed about the grounds of detention. In response, SG Mehta clarified, “The law necessitates service on the detenue, and we have fulfilled that requirement. We will assess the possibility of informing his wife.”

The Bench, led by Justice Kumar, directed the Centre to consider the possibility of providing the detention order to Sonam Wangchuk's wife, acknowledging that the grounds of detention had already been served on the detenue himself.

Sibal further highlighted that Wangchuk's wife had been denied the opportunity to visit him.

In reply, the Centre’s legal representative asserted, “Let’s not create unnecessary hype. No one is being barred. The lawyer and brother of the detenue have visited him in jail.”

SG Mehta added that Wangchuk’s wife's request for a meeting was “currently under consideration.”

The second-highest law officer of the Centre further informed the apex court that Sonam Wangchuk “has indicated to the medical officer that he is not on any medications,” dismissing concerns as “all hype” intended to generate “an emotive atmosphere” in the media.

Nonetheless, the Justice Kumar-led Bench mandated that “the detenue shall receive any necessary medical attention as permitted by existing prison regulations.”

The hearing on this matter is scheduled for next Tuesday.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has accused Sonam Wangchuk of inciting violence in Leh. After commencing a hunger strike on September 10, he abandoned it when unrest erupted in the town and was subsequently apprehended under the NSA and transferred to Jodhpur jail in Rajasthan.

Security forces had to resort to firing in self-defense during protests, which led to the tragic deaths of four civilians.

Wangchuk, a renowned activist from Ladakh, is highly regarded for his dedication to education, environmental preservation, and various social initiatives. He has been a strong advocate for educational reforms and sustainable development in Ladakh. Over the years, Wangchuk has gained both national and international acclaim for his contributions towards creating low-cost educational models, fostering environmental conservation, and promoting scientific innovation among students.