NEW DELHI, March 23: The Supreme Court of India on Monday disposed of a petition challenging the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA), noting that the matter had become infructuous following the Centre’s decision to revoke the order.
The plea was filed by his wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, questioning the legality of the detention. A bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and P.B. Varale observed that since the government had already withdrawn the detention on March 14, there was nothing further to adjudicate.
Earlier, the apex court had sought the Centre’s response on whether it could reconsider the detention, particularly in light of Wangchuk’s health condition.
The government had revoked the NSA order nearly six months after Wangchuk’s arrest in September 2025, which followed violent protests in Leh linked to demands for statehood for Ladakh and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
The protests had resulted in casualties and injuries, prompting authorities to invoke preventive detention laws at the time.
With the revocation now in place, the Supreme Court has formally closed the case, bringing an end to the legal challenge against Wangchuk’s detention.