NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India has adjourned to February 9 the hearing on a plea filed by Gitanjali J Angmo, wife of renowned Ladakh-based climate activist Sonam Wangchuk against his detention under the National Security Act.
Sonam Wangchuk was arrested on September 26, 2025 under the stringent National Security Act (NSA), just two days after four civilian protesters were killed and dozens more injured in Indian forces’ firing on demonstrators in Leh, Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmi;r. The protesters were demanding statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Wangchuk is currently lodged in Central jail at Jodhpur in Rajasthan.
The NSA empowers the authorities to detain individuals to prevent them from acting in a manner “prejudicial to the defence of India.” The maximum detention period is 12 months, though it can be revoked earlier.
On January 29, Wangchuk, who is under detention in the Jodhpur Central Jail, denied allegations that he made a statement to overthrow the government like the ‘Arab Spring’, emphasising that he has the democratic right to criticise and protest.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Angmo, submitted that police have relied on “borrowed material” and selective videos to mislead the detaining authority. Angmo claims the detention is illegal and an arbitrary exercise violating his fundamental rights.
The plea said it is wholly “preposterous” that Wangchuk would suddenly be targeted after more than three decades of being recognised at the state, national and international levels for his contributions to grassroots education, innovation and environmental conservation in Ladakh and across India.
Angmo said the unfortunate events of violence in Leh on September 24 last year cannot be attributed to the actions or statements of Wangchuk in any manner.
