Silencing dissent, political vendetta: Sonam Wangchuk's wife to Supreme Court in amended plea against his detention

Gitanjali J Angmo, wife of Ladakh climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, has told the Supreme Court that her husband's detention is not based on genuine concerns of public order or security, but is a calculated attempt to silence a respected citizen exercising his right to dissent..Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) following violent protests in Leh in September over demands of statehood and Sixth Schedule status for the Union Territory of Ladakh.Angmo, who had earlier assailed Wangchuk's detention, today sought to amend the plea to challenge his incarceration on merits after the grounds of detention were recently supplied to him.The Bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and NV Anjaria allowed Angmo's application seeking to amend the plea and asked the Union government to respond to the additional grounds raised by her."Leave of this court sought to amend the petition to place on record additional facts, documents and grounds. Petitioner permitted to amend the petition and file the amended copy within a week and amended counter to be filed within 10 days thereafter. Rejoinder if any within a week thereafter. List on November 24," the Court ordered..In an application seeking addition of grounds to challenge his detention, Angmo has referred to a series of actions taken against Wangchuk before his arrest, including the cancellation of the foreign funding certificate for his NGO."It is wholly preposterous that after over three decades of being recognized at the State, National, and International levels for his contributions to grassroots education, innovation, and environmental conservation in Ladakh and across India, Mr. Sonam Wangchuk would suddenly be targeted. Merely two months before the elections and the final rounds of dialogue between ABL, KDA, and the Ministry of Home Affairs, he was served with notices for land lease cancellation, FCRA cancellation, initiation of a CBI investigation, and summons from the Income Tax Department," the amended plea states..The plea further states that his detention was based on five First Information Reports (FIRs), out of which three do not even mention any allegations against him. While the fourth FIR is against Wangchuk, it is not connected to the violence, it adds. The fifth FIR pertains to the September 24 violence in Leh."Out of the five FIRs relied upon, three pertain to the year 2024, bearing no proximate, live, or rational nexus to the detention of Mr. Wangchuk in September 2025. Moreover, four out of five of the FIRs, out of which three are registered against “unknown persons”, do not name Mr. Sonam Wangchuk," the plea states, while denying any link between the FIRs and his detention..Wangchuk's wife has also denied the allegations that he, as a key member of the Apex Body of Leh (ABL), had instigated the public. She has also disclosed that the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had strong reservations about his participation in the dialogue process with the Centre.The plea states that it had been offered "that if the MHA were to hold the next round of talks at the earliest and include Mr. Sonam Wangchuk in the HPC delegation, then the ABL would call off the 35-day Anshan." However, it adds, that this proposal to include Wangchuk in the delegation "was categorically rejected by the MHA, citing 'higher-level decisions'.”.Angmo has also alleged that Wangchuk's statement about the uprisings in Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka has been completely misconstrued either out of a clear misunderstanding of nuance or selective lifting of lines from a long speech. His message was unambiguously rooted in peace, non-violence and democratic methods, and any contrary interpretation is unjust, misleading and malicious, the plea states.She has further argued that for the past 30 years, Wangchuk has worked tirelessly for nation-building through educational reform and environmental solutions, with awards conferred on him by various state governments and successive Central governments.On the violence, Angmo said that Wangchuk had immediately acted and tried to the best of his ability to curtail the violence and restore peace. .Stating that Wangchuk has consistently advocated for the protection of the fragile ecology of Ladakh and the Himalayan region, Angmo denied the allegations that he engaged in activities prejudicial to the security of the State. She has highlighted his support for the Armed Forces in the region."Wangchuk has made significant contributions in support of national security and the Armed Forces, including the design and development of mobile solar-powered self-heating tents for the Indian Army deployed in extreme high-altitude regions. His work has been directed towards assisting and strengthening the capabilities of the Indian security forces, not undermining them in any manner."The claims he was advocating for an independent Ladakh have also been denied. Angmo has submitted that very demand for inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule reflects his allegiance to and faith in the Constitution."The allegation that Mr. Sonam Wangchuk has been “regularly bragging about his foreign connections and threatening to use such connections against the Government” is wholly unsubstantiated, incorrect, and without any material on record," the plea submits further.In this regard, Angmo has highlighted that while participating in a conference in Pakistan, he had praised the environmental policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.The plea also alleges that certain "IT Cells" have deliberately used short clips, taking statements out of context to target him..Calling Wangchuk's detention "a manifestation of political vendetta" for his democratic questioning of unfulfilled electoral promises and policies, the plea argues,"The primary issue raised by Mr. Wangchuk concerns the need for environmentally sustainable and locally participatory development in Ladakh. His opposition to certain projects was based purely on ecological concerns, particularly regarding large-scale ventures by private business interests that threaten the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. Far from promoting unrest, his advocacy seeks to empower local communities within the constitutional framework and to safeguard Ladakh’s environment and democratic values through peaceful and lawful means.".Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal represented Angmo. The amended plea has been filed through Advocate Sarvam Ritam Khare.Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared for the Union government..Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.