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Key Points

The Supreme Court has delayed the hearing on Sonam Wangchuk's detention petition filed by his wife Gitanjali Angmo. The court has sought responses from the government regarding his detention under the National Security Act. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta defended the detention, calling concerns "hype". The court has mandated that Wangchuk receive necessary medical attention while in jail.

Key Points: SC Delays Hearing on Sonam Wangchuk Detention Plea

  • Supreme Court orders medical attention for Wangchuk
  • Hearing adjourned until October 15
  • Gitanjali Angmo challenges husband's NSA detention
  • Home Ministry alleges Wangchuk incited Leh violence
2 min read

SC adjourns hearing on plea challenging Sonam Wangchuk's detention

Supreme Court adjourns petition challenging Sonam Wangchuk's NSA detention, seeks government response on activist's detention order

"Let's not create a hype. Nobody is being prevented. - Tushar Mehta, Solicitor General"

New Delhi, Oct 14

The Supreme Court on Tuesday adjourned hearing, until October 15, on a writ petition filed by Gitanjali J. Angmo, wife of Sonam Wangchuk, challenging the detention of the Leh-based climate activist under the National Security Act (NSA).

A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria scheduled the hearing for Wednesday after senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Angmo, sought an adjournment.

In the previous hearing held on October 6, the Justice Aravind Kumar-headed Bench issued notice and sought responses from the Union government and other authorities in the matter.

The apex court asked the Centre to examine the feasibility of supplying the detention order to the wife of Wangchuk, noting that the grounds of detention had already been served on detenue himself.

The direction came when senior advocate Sibal pointed out that no family member had received the grounds of detention.

In response, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said: "The law requires service on the detenue, and we have done that. We will examine the feasibility of serving it to his wife."

As Sibal further raised the issue that Wangchuk's wife was not being allowed to meet him. Mehta said: "Let's not create a hype. Nobody is being prevented. Lawyer and brother of detenue have met him in jail."

Wangchuk's wife's request for a meeting was "being considered", he added.

SG Mehta further informed the apex court that Wangchuk "has stated before the medical officer that he is not on any medications", terming it "all hype" aimed at creating "an emotive atmosphere" in the media.

However, the Supreme Court ordered that "the detenue shall be given medical attention as may be required and the same shall be allowed as per extant prison rules".

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs held Wangchuk responsible for inciting violence in Leh town. Wangchuk had been on a hunger strike since September 10, and when violence started in the town, he broke his fast and escaped from the spot in an ambulance. The activist was later detained under the NSA and shifted to Jodhpur jail in Rajasthan.

Wangchuk, a prominent activist from Ladakh, has been widely respected for his work in education, environmental conservation, and other social causes.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
National Security Act is a serious law. If there's evidence of inciting violence, the authorities must act. But the process should be fair - family should get detention order copy and proper medical care should be provided. Balance is important.
A
Arjun K
Why is the government so hesitant to share detention grounds with his wife? This looks like they're hiding something. Even the Supreme Court is asking them to examine feasibility - that means they should have done it already! 🇮🇳
S
Sarah B
As someone who has followed Wangchuk's work, this detention seems excessive. He's an education reformer and environmentalist, not a terrorist. The government should reconsider if NSA is the right tool here. Hope justice prevails.
V
Vikram M
Both sides have points. Government has to maintain law and order, but activists also have rights. The court's intervention for medical care is good. Let's wait for the hearing tomorrow - hopefully we'll get more clarity.
K
Kavya N
I respect Wangchuk's work, but if he was involved in violence, he should face consequences. However, the government should follow due process properly. Not allowing wife to meet him doesn't look good. Transparency is key in such cases.

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