The Supreme Court on Thursday continued hearing a plea challenging the NSA detention of Ladakh-based social activist Sonam Wangchuk. The matter will be taken up again on January 12. Wangchuk’s wife has approached the apex court seeking his immediate release, arguing that the preventive detention was unjustified. Appearing for the petitioner, senior advocate Kapil Sibal submitted that Wangchuk has consistently worked to maintain peace in Ladakh and that key facts supporting his role were ignored before invoking the NSA. Sibal also played video clips in court showing Wangchuk appealing for calm and harmony in the region.
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court adjourned the hearing in the matter to Thursday. A habeas corpus petition filed by Angmo described Wangchuk’s detention as “illegal” and an “arbitrary exercise”, alleging that it violated his fundamental rights.
The case was heard by a Bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and P.B. Varale. During the brief proceedings, the Justice Aravind Kumar-led Bench took note of the petitioner’s request to play a video during the hearing.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal argued that the climate activist was not provided with the “complete grounds” of detention and was never given a “proper opportunity” to make a representation before the competent authority. He disputed the administration’s response, stating that while a pen drive containing documents was supplied on September 29, 2025, it excluded four key videos relied upon in the detention order.
Sibal emphasised that the law clearly mandates that failure to supply the grounds of detention in full renders the detention order invalid. Referring to settled case law on preventive detention, he contended that non-supply of material relied upon by the detaining authority vitiates the entire process.
For nearly three decades, Sonam Wangchuk was widely recognised as an education reformer, climate activist and innovator. In recent years, however, he emerged as an uncompromising political voice demanding statehood for Ladakh and constitutional safeguards for land, employment and cultural identity. His activism culminated in his arrest and subsequent detention under the National Security Act in September 2025.