In a significant update provided to the Delhi High Court, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta confirmed the release of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and his associates from detention. Furthermore, the prohibitory orders that restricted assembly and protests in various parts of Delhi have been lifted, marking a pivotal turn in recent events surrounding civil liberties in the capital.
The announcements came during a court session presided over by Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, where petitions were being heard concerning Wangchuk’s detention and the broader prohibitory orders imposed by the Delhi Police.
The court was informed that about 120 individuals from Ladakh, including Wangchuk, were previously detained at the Delhi border. They were en route to the capital to advocate for the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which grants autonomy to tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
Solicitor General Mehta reassured the bench that Wangchuk and his group were no longer under any form of restriction, provided they do not violate any legal provisions. This statement signifies a relaxation of the earlier stringent measures taken by law enforcement during the protests.
Despite the government’s reassurance, advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing another set of petitioners, raised concerns. He argued that there are still individuals whose movements are being curtailed, suggesting that the situation on the ground might still be restrictive for some activists.
