The wife of activist Sonam Wangchuk has approached the Supreme Court challenging his arrest under the National Security Act (NSA) following violent protests in Ladakh that left four dead and 50 injured.
According to the court’s official page, petitioner Gitanjali J. Angmo filed her habeas corpus plea on the evening of October 2. In a post on X, she wrote: “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.”
I have sought relief from the SUPREME COURT OF INDIA through a HABEAS CORPUS petition against @Wangchuk66’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. pic.twitter.com/P4EPzO630A— Gitanjali J Angmo (@GitanjaliAngmo) October 3, 2025
The court is currently on Dussehra vacation and will reopen on October 6, when her lawyers are expected to press for an urgent hearing.
Arrest Under NSA After Ladakh Protests
Wangchuk was detained on September 26 under the NSA after being accused of instigating protests demanding statehood for Ladakh. The agitation had turned violent in Leh on September 24, resulting in four deaths in police firing and dozens injured.
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The NSA, 1980, allows preventive detention to maintain security and public order, empowering both the Centre and states, as well as authorised District Magistrates and Police Commissioners, to detain individuals to avert acts deemed harmful to national defence or public order.
Following his arrest, the Apex Body, Leh, and the Kargil Democratic Alliance withdrew from talks with the government, alleging political motives behind the detention.
Government Response
The Ladakh administration has denied charges of political vendetta, dismissing claims of a witch-hunt. The Centre also reiterated its openness to dialogue, stating: “The Government has always been open for dialogues on Ladakh matters with Apex Body Leh (ABL) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) at any time. We would continue to welcome the discussion with ABL and KDA through the HPC on Ladakh or any such platform.”
