Jodhpur, October 24, 2025 — A three-member advisory board convened at Jodhpur Central Jail today to review the preventive detention of Ladakhi education reformer and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been held under the National Security Act (NSA) since September 26. The hearing, lasting nearly three hours, included Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, who presented her husband’s case to the board.
The panel was chaired by former Justice M.K. Hanjura, with Principal District and Sessions Judges Manoj Parihar of Leh and Spalzes Angmo of Kargil as members. The proceedings were conducted in a closed-door session, and no official details have been released as of Friday evening.
Wangchuk’s detention stems from his involvement in the recent protests in Leh, which escalated into violence resulting in civilian casualties. Authorities allege that his speeches during these protests incited unrest. However, Wangchuk’s supporters argue that the charges are unfounded and politically motivated.
In a related development, Gitanjali Angmo has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging her husband’s detention. She contends that the NSA is being misused to suppress peaceful activism and that the charges against Wangchuk are “flimsy and baseless.”
Wangchuk, a Ramon Magsaysay awardee known for his work in sustainable education and environmental innovation, has been on a hunger strike in jail. He has expressed his willingness to remain in custody until an independent judicial inquiry is conducted into the deaths during the Leh protests. In a message from jail, he urged the people of Ladakh to continue their movement peacefully, emphasizing non-violence and Gandhian principles.
The advisory board’s review is a critical step in the legal process, and its findings will determine the future course of Wangchuk’s detention.
