The Central government on Thursday defended in the Supreme Court the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA), alleging he was the “chief provocateur” of the September 24, 2025, violence in Leh, which left four people dead and over 60 injured.
A bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and P B Varale was hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Angmo, challenging the legality of his detention and seeking his release.
Appearing for the Centre, Additional Solicitor General K M Nataraj asserted that Wangchuk’s involvement in inciting the violence was clear on the face of the detention order.
“He was the chief provocateur that led to the violence in which four were killed and 60 injured. The detention order shows expressed link, there is clear application of mind,” Nataraj submitted.
He added that the situation in Leh had calmed significantly after Wangchuk’s detention, thereby validating the decision taken under the NSA.
“After his detention, the agitation and violence came under control. Hence it’s proved that the detention order is perfect and justified in the situation,” he argued.
Nataraj also contended that all procedural safeguards had been followed in Wangchuk’s case, stating, “Once there is compliance of statutory requirements, there is no question to sit over the subjective satisfaction of the detaining authority. Such order can be passed on suspicion or reasonable probability.”
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, also appearing for the government, opposed Wangchuk’s release on medical grounds, saying that he has undergone 24 medical check-ups since his detention and is in good health.
“There is nothing alarming. He is fit, hale and hearty,” Mehta told the bench.
He further submitted that the grounds for detention under NSA still persist, and therefore, Wangchuk cannot be released at this stage.
On the other hand, Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali Angmo, in her petition, denied any link between the activist and the violence in Leh.
She argued that her husband had condemned the violence and remained committed to peaceful activism for Ladakh’s rights.
“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. He himself condemned the violence through his social media handles and categorically said violence would lead to the failure of Ladakh’s tapasya and peaceful pursuit of five years,” Angmo submitted, adding it was “the saddest day of his life.”
Wangchuk, a renowned environmentalist and education reformer, is currently lodged in Rajasthan’s Jodhpur jail under preventive detention. The NSA, 1980, empowers the central and state governments to detain individuals without formal charges for up to 12 months to prevent them from acting in a manner prejudicial to national security or public order.
The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing in the case for February 16.
