New Delhi: The Supreme Court heard a petition filed by Geetanjali J Angmo, wife of Ladakh-based social activist Sonam Wangchuk, challenging his detention. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for January 12.
Kapil Sibal, the lawyer representing Sonam Wangchuk, told the Supreme Court that the law clearly states if all grounds for detention are not disclosed, the detention order must be quashed.
Sibal pointed out that the reasons for Sonam’s detention were revealed only after 28 days, which violates the legal timeline. On September 29, Wangchuk was served a detention order along with incomplete grounds. The four videos cited as evidence were not provided on that date. Instead, the police shared links to these videos later to justify his detention.
He further noted that a laptop was handed over on October 5, but the pen drive given on September 29 did not contain the four videos. According to the law, if the reliable documents supporting the detention are not supplied, the detention order should be revoked. The Supreme Court has reiterated this principle in several judgments.
To illustrate his point, Sibal showed the court a video of Sonam Wangchuk’s speech, reminding the bench of Mahatma Gandhi’s approach after the Chauri Chaura incident. He argued that Wangchuk’s speech did not pose any threat to state security.
Earlier, the Supreme Court allowed Geetanjali J Angmo to amend her petition. The court also directed the central government, the Union Territory administration, and prison authorities to file additional responses.
In its October 29 order, the Supreme Court stated, “The petitioner shall be permitted to amend the petition and file the revised copy within one week. The revised response shall be filed within ten days thereafter. Any rejoinder shall be filed within one week of the revised response.”
In the amended petition, Angmo argued that the detention order was passed mechanically without proper consideration, and mandatory procedural safeguards under the National Security Act (NSA) were not followed.
She also contended that the authorities acted hastily and failed to provide adequate grounds for detention in a timely and meaningful manner, depriving Wangchuk of a fair opportunity for effective representation.
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