‘Medical condition not good’: SC asks Center to reconsider Sonam Wangchuck’s detention | India News
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Center if there was any possibility of reconsidering or revisiting the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuck, saying “his health condition is not good”.The apex court also asked the Center to inform it about the government’s position during the next hearing and directed the authorities to submit original files related to Sonam’s detention to it.A day earlier, the Center and the Ladakh Union Territory government told the Supreme Court that Sonam was detained for allegedly inciting people in the sensitive border area.Solicitor General Tushar Mehta justified the detention before a bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and PB Varale, citing the National Security Act (NSA) and adhering to all procedural safeguards.“This court is dealing with a person who instigated people in the border areas adjoining Pakistan and China, which involves regional sensitivities,” Mehta said, adding that all NSA regulations were “strictly followed” and Sonam was treated fairly.The argument remains inconclusive and will continue at the next hearing, PTI reported.Earlier, the center claimed Sonam was trying to incite Generation Z and cited protests in Nepal and Bangladesh, including references to “Arab Spring-like riots.”The court is hearing a plea filed by Gitanjali J Angmo, wife of Sonam Wangchuk, challenging his detention by the National Security Agency.She claimed the detention was illegal, arbitrary and violated his fundamental rights. Senior Advocate Kapil SibalAppearing for Aung Moe, he argued that police relied on “borrowed material” and selective video to mislead detaining authorities.The plea further stated that it is “absurd” that Sonam, who has been recognized at the state, national and international levels for his contribution to grassroots education, innovation and environmental protection in Ladakh and across India for more than three decades, is now being targeted.Sonam, lodged in Jodhpur Central Jail, was detained on September 26 last year, two days after violent protests demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh left four people dead and 90 injured.The government accused him of inciting violence, a charge Anmer denied and said Sonam himself had condemned the violence and said it would lead to the failure of the peace movement in Ladakh.
