Sonam Wangchuk’s Wife Moves Supreme Court Against NSA Detention, Questions Government’s Motives

New Delhi, October 3, 2025: Gitanjali Angmo, wife of climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk, has approached the Supreme Court challenging his detention under the National Security Act (NSA) by the Ladakh administration.

In a post on X, Angmo voiced concern about the lack of transparency surrounding her husband’s arrest. “It has been one week today. Still, I have no information about Sonam Wangchuk’s health, the condition he is in, nor the grounds of detention,” she wrote.

Wangchuk’s detention followed violent clashes in Leh during protests demanding statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. He has long been at the forefront of the movement, advocating both environmental protection and cultural preservation for the region.

Angmo alleged that her husband was being targeted in a “witch-hunt,” with attempts to portray him as an “anti-national” to undermine the statehood agitation. She added that Wangchuk had already clarified charges before agencies such as the CBI and the Income Tax Department, but “a smokescreen is being created to defame him.”

Authorities have pointed to Wangchuk’s visit to Pakistan earlier this year for a UN-backed climate change conference as a concern. Responding, Angmo said, “What is wrong with that? In February, UN and Dawn Media organised a climate conference where Sonam even praised Prime Minister Modi’s ‘Mission Life’ initiative.”

Ladakh DGP SD Singh Jamwal stated that Wangchuk was under investigation in connection with the arrest of a Pakistani intelligence operative who had circulated videos of his protests across the border. Angmo countered, “If they claim a Pakistani was spotted in Ladakh, how did you allow such a security breach? This is not for Sonam to clarify. The Ministry of Home Affairs must answer.”

After his arrest, Wangchuk was shifted to Jodhpur Central Jail, where he remains lodged. The Supreme Court is expected to hear Angmo’s petition in the coming days.