SC Urges Centre to Review Sonam Wangchuk’s Detention, Cites Health Concerns

A bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and PB Varale observed that Wangchuk’s medical report was not good and asked Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj, appearing on behalf of the Centre, to take directions in the matter.

“Apart from the allegations, counter-defenses and legal issues, think about it as a Court officer. The detention order was issued on September 26, 2025, that is, for about five months.

“Considering the prisoner’s health condition… The report we saw before shows that his health condition is not that good. There are some age-related circumstances, it could also be the other way around. Is there a possibility that the government will reconsider or even look again?” the delegation observed verbally.

Nataraj said he would forward the suggestion to the relevant authorities.

During the hearing, the additional attorney general stated that Wangchuk was responsible for the violence in Leh last year, in which four people were killed and 161 injured.

Nataraj said, “After all, it was his provocative speech, his provocation, his instigation. There is no need for one to actively participate, one’s tendency to influence a group of people… that is more than enough.” he said.

The law officer argued that the decision to detain Wangchuk was approved on October 3, 2025, and the approval decision was not appealed.

Discussions were inconclusive and will continue on Thursday.

On Tuesday, the Central and Union Territory administration of Ladakh had told the high court that Wangchuk was arrested for provoking people in a border area where regional sensitivity is at stake.

Justifying Wangchuk’s arrest, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had told the bench that all procedural safeguards were followed while ordering his arrest under the National Security Act (NSA).

On Monday, the Center had said Wangchuk was trying to incite Generation Z for protests like those in Nepal and Bangladesh.

Wangchuk even touched on Arab Spring-like agitation that led to the toppling of multiple governments in Arab world countries, Mehta said.

The high court was hearing the plea filed by Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali J Angmo against her detention under the stringent NSA.

The NSA empowers the Center and states to detain individuals to prevent them from behaving in a manner “prejudicial to the defense of India”. The maximum period of detention is 12 months, but it can be canceled earlier.

Wangchuk, who was detained in Jodhpur Central Jail on January 29, denied allegations that he made a statement such as the ‘Arab Spring’ to overthrow the government, and emphasized that he had the democratic right to criticize and protest.

Angmo’s senior lawyer Kapil Sibal alleged that the police resorted to “borrowed material” and selective videos to mislead the custodial authority.

Angmo claims that the detention is illegal and arbitrary, violating his fundamental rights.

Wangchuk was detained on September 26 last year, two days after violent protests demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh led to four deaths in the Union Territory. The government accused him of inciting violence.

The plea said it was completely “unreasonable” for Wangchuk to be suddenly targeted after more than three decades of recognition at the state, national and international levels for his contributions to grassroots education, innovation and environmental conservation in Ladakh and across India.

Angmo said the unfortunate incidents of violence in Leh on September 24 last year could in no way be attributed to Wangchuk’s actions or statements.

Angmo said Wangchuk himself had condemned the violence through his social media accounts and categorically said that violence would lead to the failure of Ladakh’s “tapasya” and its five-year peaceful quest, adding that it was the saddest day of his life.