New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday sought responses from the government of India and the Ladakh administration on a petition filed by Gitanjali Angmo, wife of Ladakhi education reformer and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, challenging his detention under the National Security Act (NSA).
A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and NV Anjaria issued notices to the GoI, the Ladakh administration, and the Jodhpur Central Jail—where Wangchuk is currently lodged—and listed the matter for hearing on October 14.
Appearing for Angmo, senior advocate Kapil Sibal urged the court to direct the authorities to provide the grounds of detention to Wangchuk’s wife, arguing that she had been denied access to them despite repeated requests. He said that withholding this information prevented her from filing a representation against the detention.
Sibal also told the bench that Angmo was not being allowed to meet her husband, which was contrary to established legal procedures.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the GoI, maintained that due process had been followed and there was “no violation” of Wangchuk’s rights.
“All procedures under law have been complied with. Nobody is being denied what the law allows. Let us not create hype,” Mehta said, adding that the authorities would “examine the feasibility” of sharing the detention grounds with Wangchuk’s wife.
The bench observed that Section 8 of the NSA required the grounds to be communicated to the detainee, not family members, and decided to consider the authorities’ responses before passing any order.
When Sibal argued that the plea had been moved directly under Article 32 as the detention was ordered by the GoI, the court asked why Angmo had not approached the High Court first. The matter will now be heard next week.
