New Delhi, Oct 15: The Supreme Court on Wednesday adjourned the hearing on a plea filed by Gitanjali J Angmo, wife of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, challenging his detention under the National Security Act (NSA), to October 29. The court noted that Angmo intends to amend her petition to challenge the grounds of her husband’s detention.
A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria observed that an affidavit filed by the Jodhpur jail authorities confirmed that Wangchuk’s elder brother and lawyer had met him. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Angmo, stated that they would file an application to amend the petition and contest the legality of the detention.
During the proceedings, Sibal requested permission for Wangchuk to exchange notes with his wife. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted that he had no objection to the detainee sharing notes with Angmo, which the court acknowledged.
The apex court had earlier, on October 6, issued notices to the Centre and the Union Territory of Ladakh in response to Angmo’s plea but did not pass any order on providing the grounds of detention.
Wangchuk was detained under the NSA on September 26, two days after violent protests in Ladakh demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status left four people dead and 90 injured. The government accused him of inciting the violence.
Under the NSA, authorities can detain individuals to prevent actions “prejudicial to the defence of India,” with a maximum period of 12 months, though detention can be revoked earlier. Wangchuk is currently lodged in Jodhpur jail, Rajasthan.