New Delhi, November 24, 2025 : 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 remains detained under the National Security Act (NSA). The plea terms his detention illegal, arbitrary, and violative of fundamental rights.
A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria deferred the case after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre and the Ladakh administration, sought additional time to respond to the rejoinder filed by Wangchuk’s wife.
Contentions in the Amended Plea
Wangchuk’s wife argues that the detention order is:
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Based on stale FIRs, vague allegations, and speculative claims
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Lacking any proximate or live connection to the grounds cited for detention
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A misuse of preventive detention powers, violating due process and constitutional liberties
The plea states that detaining a globally recognised education reformer, environmentalist, and grassroots innovator after over three decades of service is “wholly preposterous”.
Context of the Case
Wangchuk was detained under the NSA on September 26, two days after violent protests in Leh demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh, which resulted in four deaths and 90 injuries. Authorities accused him of inciting unrest — a claim firmly denied by his family.
His wife maintains:
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Wangchuk condemned the violence publicly
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He stated that such incidents undermine Ladakh’s peaceful struggle, calling it “the saddest day of his life”
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The events of September 24 cannot be attributed to him
The NSA permits detention to prevent activities “prejudicial to India’s defence,” with a maximum period of 12 months unless revoked earlier.
The case will now be taken up on December 8, when the Centre and Ladakh administration are expected to file their response.
