The Supreme Court has requested the Union government to review the ongoing preventive detention of Ladakh-based social activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA). Wangchuk’s wife, Dr. Gitanjali Angmo, filed a habeas corpus petition, labeling his detention as “illegal” and a violation of his fundamental rights. Wangchuk has been in custody since September 26, 2025, with medical reports indicating concerns about his health.
The bench, led by Justices Aravind Kumar and P.B. Varale, suggested to Additional Solicitor General K.M. Nataraj that a reconsideration of Wangchuk’s detention should be contemplated by the government. ASG Nataraj assured the court that he would consult with the authorities regarding this matter. He defended the detention by explaining that the NSA is designed for preventive purposes and is not a form of punishment, emphasizing that it is at the discretion of the detaining authority.
ASG Nataraj highlighted that Wangchuk’s speech on September 24, 2025, had incited violent protests in Leh, resulting in casualties. While Wangchuk had challenged the original detention order, subsequent orders were not contested. However, the bench indicated that if the initial detention order was legally flawed, subsequent approvals would not independently justify it. The Supreme Court emphasized that if the detention order is invalidated, all subsequent actions would be nullified.
