New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday adjourned until October 29 the hearing on a plea filed by Gitanjali J Angmo, wife of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, challenging his detention, after she sought permission to amend her petition.
A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N. V. Anjaria noted that the Jodhpur jail authorities had submitted an affidavit confirming that Wangchuk’s elder brother and lawyer had met him.
Appearing for Angmo, senior advocate Kapil Sibal informed the court that she intends to amend the petition to specifically challenge the grounds of detention. He also requested that Wangchuk be allowed to exchange notes with his wife, a request to which Solicitor General Tushar Mehta raised no objection.
Earlier, on October 6, the Supreme Court had issued notices to the Centre and the Union Territory of Ladakh on Angmo’s plea but declined to order the authorities to share the grounds of detention at that stage, listing the matter for October 14.
Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) on September 26, following violent protests in Ladakh demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status, which left four people dead and 90 injured. Authorities have accused him of inciting the violence.
Under the NSA, the government can detain individuals to prevent them from acting in ways deemed “prejudicial to the defence of India”. The detention can last up to 12 months, though it may be revoked earlier. Wangchuk remains lodged in Jodhpur jail, Rajasthan.
