Supreme Court closes plea against Sonam Wangchuk's detention even as his wife asks to keep it pending

The Supreme Court on Tuesday disposed of a habeas corpus petition challenging the detention of Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk after noting that he has already been released from jail.

In view of Central government's recent decision to release Wangchuk, a Bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and PB Varale closed the plea filed by Wangchu's wife Gitanjali Angmo.

The Central government had revoked the detention of Ladakh-based climate activist on March 14.

The government said the decision was taken after considering the need to foster “an environment of peace, stability, and mutual trust” in Ladakh.

Today, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Wanghcuk, urged the Court to keep Angmo's plea pending and adjourn it for further consideration after this weekend's Ram Navami holidays.

However, the Court did not agree with the request.

"For what? No no, what is this? What else is left?," the Bench said.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta also submitted that the matter be closed now.

"I would request Mr. Sibal to let it be," Mehta said.

The Court then disposed of the plea.

"The order impugned having got spent itself, or in other words, the order of detention having been revoked, the prayer sought for in the petition has become infructuous. Hence, petition stands disposed of," it said.

Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) following protests in Leh in September 2025 over demands of statehood and Sixth Schedule status for the Union Territory of Ladakh.

His wife, Gitanjali Angmo, then filed the habeas corpus petition before the apex court seeking his release.

During the pendency of the case, the Court had urged the Central government to review the decision to detain Wangchuk, considering his deteriorating health in jail. However, the authorities decided against releasing detained Wangchuk on health grounds. The government concluded its arguments in the case on February 12.

However, the matter remained pending after the Central government sought time to make certain submissions regarding errors noticed by the Court in transcripts of videos cited by the government against Wangchuk.

Exasperated with the delay, Angmo's counsel, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, told the Court last month that the matter cannot go on forever.

On March 10, the Court said it would go through the videos cited by the Centre before making a final decision.

The case was listed thrice after the government sought time, but had to be adjourned each time.

While the matter was pending, the government on March 14 announced that it had decided to revoke Wangchuk's detention.