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The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the Central government on a Habeas Corpus petition filed by Gitanjali Angmo, wife of Ladakh-based environmentalist and activist Sonam Wangchuk, challenging his detention under the National Security Act (NSA). A Bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and NV Anjaria sought the government’s response after a brief hearing and listed the matter for further hearing on October 13, 2025.

Wangchuk was arrested on September 26 in Ladakh amid protests demanding statehood for the Union Territory and is currently detained in Jodhpur jail. The petition argues that his detention is illegal, unconnected to national security, and aimed at silencing his peaceful advocacy for democratic and ecological causes. It challenges the procedural irregularities in the preventive detention, including non-supply of the grounds of detention to Wangchuk and his family.

The Court questioned the non-supply of the detention grounds to Wangchuk’s wife and directed the Central government to consider providing her with the same. The Bench also assured that Wangchuk will receive medical care and access to his family as per prison rules. The hearing observed procedural fairness concerns while balancing national security considerations.

The Court noted that the bench composition will change in the next hearing and directed the parties to respond and address procedural questions, including why High Court remedies were not pursued earlier.Title: Supreme Court Seeks Central Government Response on Plea Challenging Sonam Wangchuk’s NSA Detention