Detained on Sept 26, Ladakh activist and reformer Sonam Wangchuk remains in Jodhpur jail under NSA; SC may hear plea after reopening on October 6.
BY PC Bureau
October 3: Gitanjali Angmo, wife of renowned Ladakh activist and Ramon Magsaysay Award recipient Sonam Wangchuk, has approached the Supreme Court of India challenging his detention under the National Security Act (NSA).
The habeas corpus petition, filed on October 2 under Article 32 of the Constitution, seeks Wangchuk’s immediate release. He was detained on September 26 following violent protests in Ladakh over demands for statehood and safeguards under the Sixth Schedule. Sources said he is currently lodged in Jodhpur jail under provisions of the NSA, which permits detention without formal charges for up to a year on grounds of national security.
Angmo expressed anguish over the lack of transparency in her husband’s case. “It has been a week today, yet I have no information about Sonam Wangchuk’s health, his condition, or the grounds of detention,” she wrote in a social media post. Her plea, titled Dr. Gitanjali J. Angmo v. Union of India and Others (Diary No. 56964/2025), argues that the detention is unlawful and violates Wangchuk’s fundamental rights.
The Supreme Court, currently on Dussehra vacation, will reopen on October 6, when an urgent hearing may be sought. Legal experts suggest the case could reignite debate over the use of preventive detention laws like the NSA, particularly in politically sensitive regions.
“I have sought relief from the Supreme Court of India through a HABEAS CORPUS petition against Wangchuk’s detention. It is one week today. Still I have no information about Sonam Wangchuk’s health, the condition he is in nor the grounds of detention,” Sonam Wangchuk’s wife… https://t.co/Bb8rnUP8Bw pic.twitter.com/Q2fvM2gUlv
— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) October 3, 2025
Background of the Protests
The current unrest in Ladakh stems from long-standing demands for statehood, enhanced political representation, and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule to safeguard tribal rights. Ladakh was reorganized as a Union Territory without a legislature after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
In September 2025, thousands joined demonstrations in Leh pressing for these demands. Clashes on September 25 between protesters and security forces left several injured. Authorities responded with curfews and detentions, including that of Wangchuk under the NSA. Critics argue the move is an attempt to silence dissent; officials insist it was necessary to restore order.
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Sonam Wangchuk: A Voice for Change
An engineer-turned-activist, Wangchuk is celebrated for his work in education reform and sustainable development. He founded the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), pioneered “ice stupas” to combat water scarcity, and received the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2018.
His outspoken advocacy for climate action, land rights, and Ladakh’s autonomy has often placed him at odds with authorities. Civil society groups view his detention as a direct attack on free speech and democratic rights. Social media campaigns under hashtags like #FreeSonamWangchuk and #LadakhDemandsStatehood have drawn national and international attention.
Legal and Political Implications
The petition brings into focus the judiciary’s role in protecting fundamental rights against the backdrop of preventive detention. Past Supreme Court rulings have struck down NSA detentions lacking sufficient grounds. Legal scholars expect Angmo’s counsel to argue that the detention violates Article 21 — the right to life and liberty.
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Politically, the case underscores tensions between the Centre and Ladakh, where communities feel sidelined under the Union Territory framework. Wangchuk’s detention has become a flashpoint, uniting local groups and amplifying calls for statehood.
Supporters plan peaceful demonstrations in Delhi and other cities to press for Wangchuk’s release. Meanwhile, Ladakh’s administration has defended its actions, saying all measures were taken lawfully to maintain peace.
The Supreme Court is expected to take up the petition after reopening on October 6. Its decision could set an important precedent for preventive detentions in conflict-prone regions. For now, Gitanjali Angmo’s legal battle has become a symbol of resistance, highlighting the clash between national security laws and individual freedoms in India’s democratic framework.
