SC to Hear Plea Challenging Sonam Wangchuk's NSA Detention: Key Hearing Scheduled for January 8
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The Supreme Court has scheduled a crucial hearing for January 8 in a case challenging the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA). Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, filed the plea, arguing that his detention is illegal and an arbitrary exercise that violates his fundamental rights. Wangchuk was detained on September 26, two days after violent protests broke out in Ladakh, leaving four people dead and 90 injured. The government accused him of inciting the violence, but Angmo claims that the detention order is based on 'stale FIRs, vague imputations, and speculative assertions.' The plea alleges that the government's actions amount to a gross abuse of authority, undermining constitutional liberties and due process. It also points out that Wangchuk has been recognized for his contributions to education, innovation, and environmental conservation in Ladakh and across India for over three decades. Angmo argues that the violence in Leh on September 24 cannot be attributed to Wangchuk's actions or statements. Wangchuk himself condemned the violence through social media and expressed his commitment to peaceful pursuits. The NSA empowers the Centre and states to detain individuals to prevent them from acting in a manner 'prejudicial to the defence of India.' The maximum detention period is 12 months, though it can be revoked earlier. The Supreme Court's hearing on January 8 is expected to be a critical moment in determining the validity of Wangchuk's detention.
