New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday took on record the amended petition filed by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, challenging his detention under the National Security Act (NSA), and sought a response from the Centre and the Union Territory of Ladakh within ten days.
A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria directed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre and Ladakh administration, to file their response and listed the matter for further hearing on November 24. The bench also allowed senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Angmo, to submit a rejoinder, if required.
Earlier, on October 15, the court had deferred the hearing after Angmo sought to file an amended petition with additional grounds against Wangchuk’s detention. It had taken note of an affidavit submitted by the Jodhpur jailor, confirming that Wangchuk’s elder brother and lawyer had met him in custody.
Sibal had also requested that Wangchuk be permitted to exchange some notes with his wife, a submission to which the Solicitor General had raised no objection.
The top court had earlier, on October 6, issued notices to the Centre and the Ladakh administration but declined to pass any interim order on Angmo’s plea seeking the grounds of Wangchuk’s detention.
Wangchuk was detained on September 26 under the National Security Act, two days after violent protests in Ladakh demanding statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule left four people dead and 90 injured. Authorities have accused him of inciting violence.
Under the NSA, the Centre and states can detain individuals to prevent actions deemed “prejudicial to the defence of India.” The law allows detention for up to 12 months, though it can be revoked earlier.
