Supreme Court Delays Hearing on Climate Activist's Detention Until 2026
Supreme Court Adjourns Hearing
New Delhi: On Monday, the Supreme Court postponed the hearing regarding a petition submitted by Gitanjali J Angmo, the spouse of imprisoned climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, to January 7, 2026. This petition challenges Wangchuk's detention under the National Security Act, which occurred on September 26.
The bench, comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria, decided to defer the case due to time constraints.
The petition argues that Wangchuk's detention is unlawful and constitutes an arbitrary action that infringes upon his fundamental rights.
Previously, on November 24, the court had postponed the hearing after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre and the Union Territory of Ladakh, requested additional time to address Angmo's rejoinder.
On October 29, the court had asked for responses from both the Centre and the Ladakh administration regarding Angmo's amended plea.
Wangchuk was detained under the stringent National Security Act (NSA) on September 26, just two days following violent protests in Ladakh that resulted in four fatalities and 90 injuries. The government accused him of inciting these disturbances.
The amended plea contends that the detention order is based on outdated FIRs, vague allegations, and speculative claims, lacking any substantial connection to the reasons for detention, thus rendering it legally and factually unjustifiable.
It further claims that such an arbitrary use of preventive powers represents a severe misuse of authority, undermining constitutional liberties and due process, making the detention order subject to annulment by the court.
Angmo emphasized that it is absurd to suggest that after over thirty years of recognition for his contributions to grassroots education, innovation, and environmental conservation in Ladakh and beyond, Wangchuk would suddenly become a target.
She noted that the violent incidents in Leh on September 24 cannot be linked to Wangchuk's actions or statements in any way.
Wangchuk himself condemned the violence on social media, asserting that such actions would jeopardize Ladakh's peaceful efforts over the past five years, which Angmo described as the saddest day of his life.
The NSA allows the Centre and states to detain individuals to prevent actions deemed harmful to India's defense. The maximum detention period is 12 months, although it can be revoked sooner.