Sonam Wangchuk’s wife files amended plea in Indian SC, denounces allegations against husband
New Delhi: The Indian Supreme Court today took on record the amended plea filed by Gitanjali J Angmo, the wife of incarcerated Ladakhi activist Sonam Wangchuk, challenging his detention and sought responses from both New Delhi and Ladakh administration in ten days.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Wangchuk, a prominent activist and engineer, was arrested on September 26 under the stringent National Security Act (NSA), just two days after four civilian protesters were killed and dozens more injured in Indian forces’ firing on demonstrators in Leh. The protesters were demanding statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Wangchuk is currently lodged in Central jail at Jodhpur in Rajasthan
The matter came up for hearing today before a bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and NV Anjaria. The bench directed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the BJP-led Indian government and the Ladakh administration, to file a response to the amended plea. It also allowed senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Angmo, to file a rejoinder, if necessary. A further hearing has been scheduled for November 24, 2025.
On October 15, India’s top court had deferred the hearing after Angmo sought to amend her petition, adding new grounds to challenge Wangchuk’s detention. The amended petition raises several significant concerns regarding procedural lapses by the authorities.
One of the primary issues highlighted in the amended petition is the delay in providing Wangchuk with the grounds of his detention. This delay, she argued, severely hampered Wangchuk’s ability to make effective representations. Additionally, the petition noted that the detention was based on “stale FIRs” from over a year ago, in which Wangchuk was not even named. Furthermore, the recommendations upon which the detention order was passed, along with the notification authorizing the District Magistrate of Leh to issue the order, were not provided to Wangchuk either.
Angmo’s amended petition categorically denied the allegations that Wangchuk engaged in activities prejudicial to the security of the state, describing them as baseless, unfounded, and without merit. The petition rejected the claim that Wangchuk had instigated the protest at NDS Memorial Park in Leh, noting that he had never incited public unrest. “On the contrary, his efforts have been consistently aimed at ensuring peace, stability, and sustainable progress in the sensitive border region of Ladakh”, it added. His advocacy, the plea argued, seeks to empower local communities within the constitutional framework and protect Ladakh’s environment and democratic values through peaceful and lawful means. KMS–14S
