NEW DELHI: The Centre and the Union Territory administration of Ladakh on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was detained for allegedly instigating people in a sensitive border region adjoining Pakistan and China.
Justifying Wangchuk’s detention under the National Security Act (NSA), Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told a bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and P B Varale that all procedural safeguards were followed.
“This court is dealing with a person who is instigating people in a border area where regional sensitivity is involved,” Mehta submitted, adding that Wangchuk had been treated fairly and that all provisions of the NSA were “scrupulously complied with”.
The hearing remained inconclusive and will continue on Wednesday.
On Monday, the Centre had alleged that Wangchuk attempted to instigate Gen Z-style protests, drawing parallels with movements in Nepal and Bangladesh. Mehta had also claimed that Wangchuk referred to Arab Spring–like agitations, which had led to the overthrow of governments in several countries.
The apex court is hearing a plea filed by Gitanjali J Angmo, Wangchuk’s wife, challenging his detention under the NSA. The Act empowers the Centre and state governments to detain individuals to prevent activities considered prejudicial to the defence of India, with a maximum detention period of 12 months, subject to review.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the petitioner, argued that the police relied on “borrowed material” and selectively edited videos to mislead the detaining authority. Angmo has contended that the detention is illegal, arbitrary and violative of Wangchuk’s fundamental rights.
Wangchuk, who is currently lodged in Jodhpur Central Jail, denied the allegations on January 29, asserting that he never called for overthrowing the government and that peaceful criticism and protest are democratic rights.
He was detained on September 26 last year, two days after violent protests demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh left four people dead and around 90 injured. The government has accused him of inciting the violence.
However, Angmo said it was “preposterous” to target Wangchuk after more than three decades of public service and international recognition for his work in education, innovation and environmental conservation. She also said the violence in Leh on September 24 could not be attributed to Wangchuk, noting that he had publicly condemned the violence and described it as the “saddest day” of his life, warning that violence would derail Ladakh’s peaceful movement.
