New Delhi, Feb. 11 — The Centre on Wednesday informed the Supreme Court that activist Sonam Wangchuk, currently detained under the National Security Act (NSA), 1980, is medically stable and cannot be released on health grounds.
Appearing before a bench of Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice P.B. Varale, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted that Wangchuk, lodged in Jodhpur Central Jail since September 26, 2025, has undergone 24 medical examinations and is “fit, hale and hearty.”
“He had some digestive issues and is being treated. There is nothing alarming. The grounds for detention continue to exist. It will not be possible to release him on health grounds,” Mehta told the court, adding that preventive detention cases cannot be treated as exceptions.
Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Angmo, has challenged his detention, calling it “illegal, arbitrary and unconstitutional.” In her plea, she contended that the detention order violates fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 19, 21 and 22 of the Constitution.
Earlier, Angmo had sought directions for a specialist medical examination, stating that Wangchuk had frequently complained of stomach pain. Following the Supreme Court’s directive, doctors at AIIMS Jodhpur examined him and submitted a medical report.
On February 4, the apex court had asked the Centre to consider whether Wangchuk’s health condition warranted a review of the detention order, noting that he had been in custody for nearly five months.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Additional Solicitor General K.M. Nataraj alleged that Wangchuk played a key role in instigating violent protests in Ladakh, including referencing movements such as the Arab Spring and unrest in Nepal. However, the bench questioned the interpretation of his statements, observing that the activist appeared to be expressing concern over youth sentiments rather than endorsing violence.
Wangchuk was detained under Section 3(2) of the NSA two days after protests demanding statehood for Ladakh and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule turned violent, resulting in four deaths and nearly 100 injuries. The NSA permits preventive detention for up to 12 months to prevent actions deemed prejudicial to national security, though such detention can be revoked earlier.
On January 29, Wangchuk denied encouraging any anti-government uprising and asserted his democratic right to criticise policies and participate in peaceful protests.
The Centre and the Ladakh Administration have defended the detention, arguing that his actions in a sensitive border region posed concerns for public order and national security.
