The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the Central government on a Habeas Corpus petition filed by Gitanjali Angmo, wife of Ladakh-based environmentalist and innovator Sonam Wangchuk, challenging his preventive detention under the National Security Act (NSA).
A Bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and NV Anjaria directed the Union government to respond after a brief hearing and listed the matter for further proceedings on October 13.
Appearing for the petitioner, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal submitted that the detention was illegal and contrary to constitutional safeguards. He argued that neither Wangchuk nor his family members had been provided with a copy of the detention order or the grounds for his arrest, a requirement under the NSA and established judicial precedent.
Sibal further contended that the detention violated Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution, as Wangchuk&rsquo;s actions were confined to peaceful, Gandhian protests in Ladakh, exercising his right to free speech and assembly. The plea maintained that the government&rsquo;s action was not connected to any genuine threat to public order or national security but was intended to silence a respected reformer advocating for democratic and ecological causes.
Representing the Central government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted that the &ldquo;grounds of detention were supplied&rdquo; to Wangchuk, asserting compliance with statutory requirements.
The Bench, however, queried why the same grounds could not be furnished to Wangchuk&rsquo;s wife. &ldquo;What prevents the government from serving the grounds on his wife?&rdquo; the Court asked. Mehta replied that the law mandates service only on the detenue, which had been fulfilled, but agreed to examine the feasibility of providing the same to the family.
The petition also questioned Wangchuk&rsquo;s transfer from Ladakh to Jodhpur Central Jail, over a thousand kilometres away, contending that it was arbitrary and deprived him of meaningful legal access. Angmo has sought his immediate release, or in the alternative, directions to ensure access to legal counsel, communication, and adequate facilities in detention.
The Court directed the Solicitor General to examine the issue and scheduled the matter for hearing next week.

Top Court seeks Centre’s response on plea challenging Sonam Wangchuk’s NSA detention

Supreme Court issues notice in Wangchuk detention

Top Court seeks Centre’s response on plea challenging Sonam Wangchuk’s NSA detention

October 6, 2025 | 11:53 IST