SC Questions Centre On Sonam Wangchuk’s Detention, Asks Why Wife Wasn’t Notified
The Supreme Court on Monday questioned the Centre over the detention of renowned climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the stringent National Security Act (NSA), asking why his wife was not provided with the grounds for his arrest. The court was hearing a habeas corpus plea filed by Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali J Wangmo, challenging his detention as illegal following recent violent clashes in Ladakh.
A bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and NV Anjaria issued notices to the Centre, as well as the administrations of Jammu & Kashmir and Rajasthan, seeking their response to the petition. Wangmo informed the court that she has not been allowed to meet her husband since he was taken into custody on September 26 and is currently lodged in a jail in Jodhpur.
The bench has scheduled the matter for a detailed hearing on October 14.In her petition filed under Article 32 of the Constitution, Wangmo has sought the immediate release of her husband, arguing that his detention is unlawful under Article 22.
She contends that neither she nor Wangchuk was informed of the specific reasons for his arrest under the NSA, which is a mandatory procedural safeguard. The court took serious note of this submission, specifically questioning the government on why prior notice was not served to his wife.
