The Supreme Court on Monday sought a reply from the Central Government and the Ladakh administration on a petition filed by Ladakhi education reformer and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wife Geetanjali Angamo, challenging her detention under the National Security Act (NSA). However, the Center and Union Territory told the court that the aim of the petition is “to create” about Wangchuk’s detention. A bench of Justice Arvind Kumar and Justice NV Anjaria issued notices to the Center, Ladakh Administration and Jodhpur Central Jail, where Wangchuk is currently lodged and listed the case for 14 October. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Angmo, insisted on providing immediate basis to Wangchuk’s wife, but the bench avoided passing any order at this level, saying that she would consider the answer to the officers first.
Justice Arvind Kumar and Justice N.V. Anjaria’s bench issued notices to the Center, Jammu and Kashmir and Rajasthan on a petition filed by Gitanjali Angamo. Gitanjali told the bench that she has not been allowed to meet her husband since he was detained on 26 September. The petition filed by Wangmo under Article 32 is a habeas corpus petition demanding the release of Wangchuk, who is currently lodged in Jodhpur Jail. In his petition, he has challenged his detention under Article 22, saying that neither her nor her husband has been given the reasons for her arrest.
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During the hearing, Kapil Sibal, appearing for Wangmo, argued that he could not challenge custody without receiving a copy of the custody. However, India’s Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that the basis of custody was already handed over to Wangchuk and his brother met him after being taken into custody.
Sibal opposed that no copy has been given to the family and they can only talk to them on intercom. He stressed that without the basis of custody, they cannot register proper representation before the concerned board. She also requested that Wangmo be allowed to meet her husband, given that she has not been allowed yet. The Solicitor General said that a list of 12 people has been given to meet Wangchuk and emphasized that no one is being prevented from meeting them. He also warned against “chanting”.
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He further said, “All this is being done only to show the media and in that field that they are not getting medicines nor are they getting from his wife. It is being done only to create an emotional atmosphere. Nobody has stopped meeting his wife.” On its behalf, the Supreme Court said that although it is necessary to give information about the Aadhaar card to the person detained as per law, there is no obstruction in giving a copy of it to the wife, but clarified that no order would be passed at this level. The court also directed that the necessary medicines, clothes and medical facilities should be provided to Wangchuk, as they were kept in custody without their belongings and were on a fast before custody.