The arrest of Ladakh’s renowned climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has now reached the Supreme Court. His wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, has filed a Habeas Corpus petition demanding his immediate release and clarity on his detention. The plea comes after Wangchuk was held under the National Security Act (NSA) on 26 September. His detention followed violent protests in Leh that left four people dead and over 50 injured.
Sonam Wangchuk’s wife’s petition
In her petition, Angmo highlighted that despite a week having passed, she has “no information about Wangchuk’s health, condition, or the grounds of his detention.” She also took to the social media platform X, urging the judiciary to intervene and calling the situation deeply alarming. The top court is currently on Dussehra vacation and will reopen on 6 October, when her lawyers are expected to push for an urgent hearing.
The case has already triggered political tremors. Following Wangchuk’s detention, both the Apex Body Leh (ABL) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) withdrew from talks with the Centre. They accused the government of political motives. The administration, however, rejected claims of vendetta, insisting that the detention was lawful and not a witch-hunt.
What is Habeas Corpus?
The term Habeas Corpus is a Latin phrase meaning “you may have the body.” It is one of the most powerful remedies under Articles 32 and 226 of the Indian Constitution. It allows citizens to challenge unlawful detention. Through this writ, a court can order the production of a person who has been detained and examine whether the detention is legal. Unlike regular appeals or bail petitions, Habeas Corpus is a direct safeguard of personal liberty.
For Angmo, this plea is not just legal recourse but also a desperate call for transparency, accountability, and the immediate restoration of her husband’s fundamental rights.
