Supreme Court Issues Notice on Sonam Wangchuk's Detention Under NSA
The Supreme Court has sought responses from the central government and the Ladakh administration on a petition challenging the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA). Wangchuk was detained on September 26 following violent protests demanding statehood for Ladakh. His wife, Gitanjali Angmo, filed a habeas corpus petition arguing the detention is illegal and unconstitutional. The court will hear the matter again on October 14, bringing national judicial scrutiny to the use of preventive detention laws.
Unpacked:
The protests escalated after years of peaceful demonstrations for statehood and constitutional rights turned violent on September 24, 2025, when protesters burned the BJP office and police opened fire, killing four people. This marked the first time the movement, which advocates for Ladakh's autonomy and environmental protection, turned deadly.
Sonam Wangchuk is a renowned engineer, environmentalist, and education reformer, known nationally as the inspiration for the film '3 Idiots.' In Ladakh, he is a consensus leader advocating for statehood, special constitutional status, and environmental safeguards, making him a central figure in the movement.
The NSA is a stringent preventive detention law in India that allows authorities to detain individuals without trial if deemed a threat to national security or public order. Wangchuk was detained under the NSA after authorities accused him of inciting unrest during the protests.
Protesters are demanding statehood for Ladakh, constitutional protections under the Sixth Schedule (which grants autonomy to tribal regions), restoration of democratic rights, and control over land and natural resources to address concerns of environmental degradation and loss of local identity.