SC adjourns hearing on plea against Sonam Wangchuk’s NSA detention to Dec 8

The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned to December 8 the hearing on a petition filed by the wife of jailed climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has challenged his detention under the National Security Act (NSA) as “illegal” and an “arbitrary exercise” violating his fundamental rights. A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N. V. Anjaria deferred proceedings after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre and the Union Territory of Ladakh, sought additional time to respond to the rejoinder filed by Wangchuk’s wife.

The court had earlier, on October 29, sought responses from the Centre and the Ladakh administration on her amended plea. The petition argues that the detention order is based on “stale FIRs, vague imputations, and speculative assertions,” lacking any proximate or legally sustainable grounds. It further contends that such “arbitrary” use of preventive detention powers constitutes a serious abuse of authority and undermines constitutional liberties.

Wangchuk’s wife emphasised in her plea that the activist widely recognised for decades for his contributions to education, sustainable innovation, and environmental conservation was being unfairly targeted. She asserted that the violence that erupted in Leh on September 24 could not be attributed to him, noting that he had publicly condemned the incident and warned that violence would derail Ladakh’s peaceful struggle. Calling it “the saddest day of his life,” she said Wangchuk remained committed to non-violence.

Sonam Wangchuk was detained under the NSA on September 26, two days after violent protests demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh left four people dead and 90 injured. Authorities accused him of incitement, an allegation his family rejects. The NSA allows preventive detention for up to 12 months to prevent individuals from acting in ways deemed prejudicial to national defence or security.

The case now awaits further hearing on December 8, when the Centre and Ladakh administration are expected to file their responses.