NEW DELHI (Rajeev Sharma): Geetanjali Angmo, the wife of Ladakhi innovator and environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk, has moved the Supreme Court seeking his release following his detention under the National Security Act (NSA). Wangchuk has been in custody since September 26, days after large-scale protests erupted in Ladakh demanding constitutional safeguards for the region.
Wangchuk, known globally for his work on sustainable development and climate action in the Himalayas, was picked up by authorities in the aftermath of demonstrations that turned violent. The unrest resulted in the death of four individuals and left nearly 90 injured. Since his arrest, he has been lodged in Jodhpur Central Jail in Rajasthan.
Angmo, in her petition filed through advocate Sarvam Ritam Khare, has questioned the legal basis of the detention. She argued that the application of the NSA, a law intended for cases threatening national security, is unjustified in this context. The plea also highlights that she has not been given access to the official detention order, a requirement under law, nor has she been allowed to establish contact with her husband since his confinement.
The protests that preceded Wangchuk’s arrest were part of a growing movement in Ladakh seeking statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which would grant the region more autonomy and protect indigenous rights.
The administration in Ladakh has dismissed allegations of foul play, stating that the detention was carried out lawfully and in response to concerns over public safety. However, the move has drawn sharp criticism from activists, lawyers, and civil society groups across the country who argue that using the NSA in this case sets a dangerous precedent.
The Supreme Court is expected to take up the matter soon, as pressure mounts on both state and central authorities over the handling of the situation in Ladakh.
