Habeas Corpus Petition Filed in SC Over Sonam Wangchuk’s Detention

A habeas corpus petition under Article 32 of the Constitution has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the detention of Ladakh activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk. The petition, submitted on October 2, follows Wangchuk’s arrest on September 26. He is currently lodged in Jodhpur Central Jail, Rajasthan, after being detained in connection with protests demanding statehood for Ladakh.

The matter is expected to come up for urgent hearing once the Supreme Court reopens after the Dussehra break on October 6. While the specific arguments raised in the petition are not yet public, it is seen as a significant legal challenge to the government’s action.

Wangchuk, a Ramon Magsaysay awardee known for his pioneering work in education and environmental sustainability, was arrested after protests in Leh turned violent on September 24, leading to four deaths in police firing. Authorities allege that Wangchuk played a key role in inciting unrest.

On September 30, the Ladakh administration defended its decision, claiming Wangchuk repeatedly referred to “self-immolation” in his speeches, likening his rhetoric to protest methods used in Tibet. Officials argue that such remarks posed a serious threat to public order.

The administration confirmed that Wangchuk has been detained under the National Security Act (NSA), which allows for preventive detention in cases linked to national security or public order. Officials stated that the grounds of detention have been formally served to him.

Meanwhile, Wangchuk’s wife Angmo, co-founder of the Himalayan Institute of Alternative Learning (HIAL), expressed deep concern over his arrest. She said she has not been allowed to speak to him or access a copy of the detention order. Notably, HIAL’s land registration was cancelled by the Ladakh administration just a month earlier, adding another layer of controversy to the case.