The ongoing Sonam Wangchuk arrest case has taken a dramatic turn as his wife Gitanjali J Angmo has formally approached the Supreme Court, arguing that the National Security Act (NSA) detention against the renowned climate activist and education reformer is illegal and unconstitutional. She has demanded his immediate release, stating that a peaceful voice for Ladakh’s rights has been wrongfully silenced under fabricated charges.

According to her petition, Wangchuk was detained on September 26 following the violent clashes in Leh on September 24, which left four people dead and several injured during protests demanding statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. Instead of targeting the real instigators of violence, Gitanjali alleges that Wangchuk, who has consistently advocated for non-violent resistance, was framed with baseless accusations, including alleged links to Pakistan, which she strongly condemned as defamatory and politically motivated.

She further revealed that no official detention order has been provided to the family, which is a direct violation of legal procedure under the National Security Act. She expressed distress over being denied communication with her husband, who has been lodged in Jodhpur jail in Rajasthan, far away from Ladakh, making it difficult for relatives and supporters to reach him.

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In her appeal, Gitanjali highlighted Wangchuk’s lifelong dedication to Ladakh, reminding the authorities that he stood alongside the Indian Army, promoted sustainable development, and became a global face for climate activism. She questioned whether it was a crime to raise concerns against reckless environmental exploitation in one of India’s most ecologically fragile regions. Drawing lessons from Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and North-East landslide disasters, she insisted that development must not come at the cost of survival.

Her effort has not been limited to legal corridors. Gitanjali also sent a heartfelt letter to President Droupadi Murmu, seeking her intervention for justice, stating that her husband is not a threat to national security but a protector of national interest. She described the current ordeal as a witch-hunt against a man who dedicated his life to the welfare of local communities through initiatives like HIAL (Himalayan Institute of Alternative Learning).

Shockingly, she revealed that CRPF personnel have been deployed around her institution, and two members of the organisation have already been detained, raising fears of systematic intimidation against all supporters of Wangchuk.

Her legal fight is not just for her husband—it is fast turning into a larger constitutional battle for freedom of dissent, environmental protection, tribal rights, and democratic protest. Across India, social activists, students, environmentalists, and ordinary citizens have begun raising their voice demanding his release, calling the case a test for India’s democratic values.

As the Supreme Court prepares to hear the petition, all eyes are on whether judicial intervention will restore justice. Will Sonam Wangchuk be freed, or will this activist’s arrest under NSA set a troubling precedent for future environmental and civil rights movements?

One thing is clear — this case is no longer just about detention. It is about defining the balance between national security and citizens’ right to dissent

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