Supreme court postpones hearing on Sonam Wangchuk’s detention to January

New Delhi: The legal challenge against the detention of prominent climate activist Sonam Wangchuk will carry over into the new year, following the Supreme Court’s decision on Monday to defer the hearing until 7 January 2026.

A bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria adjourned the proceedings regarding a habeas corpus plea filed by Gitanjali J. Angmo, Wangchuk’s wife. The petition seeks to overturn the activist's detention under the stringent National Security Act (NSA), describing his continued incarceration as "illegal" and a violation of fundamental rights.

In her amended petition, Angmo has launched a strong critique of the process used to detain her husband. She contends that the detention order was issued "mechanically" and without proper application of mind.

The plea further argues that the authorities failed to adhere to mandatory procedural safeguards required under the NSA. Specifically, Angmo alleges that the administration acted in haste and did not furnish the specific grounds for detention in a timely or meaningful manner, effectively depriving Wangchuk of the opportunity to make a legal representation against his confinement.

In response, the Ladakh administration has defended the detention in its affidavit. Authorities maintain that the move was warranted due to Wangchuk’s alleged involvement in inciting unrest within the region.

The District Magistrate of Leh stated that the order, passed on 26 September, was necessary as he remained "satisfied" that the activist's actions were "prejudicial to the security of the State, maintenance of public order and services essential to the community." The administration claims that the grounds for detention were communicated within the statutory timeframe and that the decision was subsequently ratified by a detention advisory board.

Wangchuk, a celebrated education reformer and environmentalist, was detained in September and was later transferred to Jodhpur Central Jail in Rajasthan.

The Supreme Court had previously intervened on 29 October, granting Angmo permission to amend her petition and directing the Centre, the Union Territory administration, and jail authorities to file additional replies. The matter is now set to resume in the first week of January.

(Inputs from IANS)