Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Feb 9: The Supreme Court on Monday signalled its unwillingness to entertain further delays in the habeas corpus petition filed by Dr Gitanjali J. Angmo, wife of detained Ladakh-based climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, challenging his detention under the National Security Act (NSA).
When Additional solicitor general K.M. Nataraj, appearing for the Union government and the Union Territory of Ladakh, sought an adjournment citing his engagement in another matter and requested that the case be taken up next week, the court declined. Emphasising the urgency of the matter, the Bench observed, “You must understand this is a habeas corpus petition. It was our fault that we could not take it up on Friday (February 5).”
The Bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and Prasanna B. Varale also questioned the Centre on whether it had acted on the court’s earlier suggestion to reconsider Wangchuk’s preventive detention in view of his health condition.
Responding to the query, ASG Nataraj submitted that Wangchuk was being provided the “best possible medical care” and asserted that AIIMS Jodhpur had better healthcare facilities compared to Ladakh.
After repeated requests from the government side, the apex court agreed to list the habeas corpus plea for hearing on Wednesday at 2 p.m. The petition filed by Dr Angmo describes her husband’s detention as “illegal” and an “arbitrary exercise of power” that violates his fundamental rights.
In an earlier hearing, the Supreme Court had orally urged the Union government to reconsider the continued preventive detention of Wangchuk. During Monday’s proceedings, the Justice Aravind Kumar-led Bench noted that Wangchuk has been in custody since September 26, 2025, and pointed out that the medical records placed before the court suggested that his health was “certainly not very good”.
The Bench had earlier advised the Centre to “give it a thought” and examine whether there was scope to reassess the continuation of Wangchuk’s detention. At that time, the ASG had assured the court that he would seek fresh instructions from the authorities concerned.