NEW DELHI: The Union government informed the Supreme Court on Wednesday that climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, detained under the National Security Act since September 2025, cannot be released on health grounds, asserting that his condition remains stable with no alarming issues.
This development comes amid ongoing legal challenges to his preventive detention, which stems from protests in Ladakh demanding greater autonomy and statehood.
Sonam Wangchuk, born on September 1, 1966, in the remote village of Uleytokpo in Ladakh, is a renowned Indian engineer, innovator, education reformer, and environmental activist. Home-schooled by his mother until the age of nine, Wangchuk later pursued mechanical engineering and dedicated his career to addressing the unique challenges of the Himalayan region.
In 1988, he co-founded the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), an organization aimed at reforming the education system in Ladakh, which he described as an “alien” model imposed on local students.
Through SECMOL and initiatives like Operation New Hope, a collaboration between government, communities, and civil society, Wangchuk has worked to improve school infrastructure and curricula tailored to Ladakh’s cultural and environmental context.
Wangchuk’s environmental contributions have earned him global recognition. He invented the “Ice Stupa,” an artificial glacier technique that stores winter water in cone-shaped ice formations to combat water scarcity in arid Himalayan villages. This innovation, inspired by ancient practices, helps provide irrigation during dry seasons and has been implemented in regions facing climate-induced glacier retreat. His work extends to sustainable technologies, such as solar-powered tents for soldiers in extreme cold and advocacy for eco-friendly development.
Wangchuk received the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2018 for his efforts in education and environmental conservation.
Over the years, Wangchuk has transitioned into a prominent activist, campaigning against unsustainable development projects that threaten Ladakh’s fragile ecosystem. He has criticized large-scale infrastructure initiatives, including those potentially backed by foreign influences, and promoted community-led solutions for water management and climate resilience. His activism often intersects with calls for political safeguards, positioning him as a key voice in Ladakh’s socio-political discourse.
The Roots of Ladakh’s Protests
The unrest in Ladakh traces back to August 2019, when the Indian government revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and bifurcated the state into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. While the move was initially welcomed in Ladakh for granting it separate Union Territory status without a legislature, it soon sparked concerns over loss of autonomy, land rights, and employment opportunities. Local groups feared that without constitutional protections, outsiders could dominate jobs, land ownership, and resources in the ecologically sensitive region.
Key demands from Ladakhi organizations, including the Leh Apex Body (ABL) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), include inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which provides autonomous councils for tribal areas to protect land and cultural rights; full statehood with a legislature; a separate cadre for civil services; and safeguards against environmental degradation from mega projects. These groups have engaged in talks with the central government, but progress has been slow, leading to repeated agitations.
Wangchuk has been a vocal leader in these movements. In March 2024, he undertook a 21-day hunger strike to highlight the demands. Tensions escalated in September 2025 when Wangchuk and supporters renewed protests, including a planned ‘Delhi Chalo Padyatra’, a march from Leh to Delhi to press for action. This built on earlier efforts, such as a similar march attempt in October 2024, where Wangchuk was briefly detained at the Delhi border for violating prohibitory orders but later released.
Events Leading to Detention
The situation intensified on September 24, 2025, when protests in Leh turned violent. Thousands gathered in support of Wangchuk, who had been on a two-week hunger strike demanding Sixth Schedule status and statehood. Clashes erupted between protesters and security forces, resulting in four civilian deaths and over 90 injuries. Authorities accused a breakaway group of engaging in violence, including property damage.
Two days later, on September 26, 2025, Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act (NSA), 1980, a preventive detention law allowing up to a year of imprisonment without trial if authorities believe an individual’s actions threaten national security or public order. He was transported over 1,600 kilometers to Jodhpur Central Jail in Rajasthan.
The Ladakh administration and police justified the arrest by alleging that Wangchuk’s speeches were provocative, inciting violence, and potentially anti-national. Ladakh DGP SD Singh Jamwal stated that Wangchuk sabotaged ongoing government talks with local bodies and provided a platform for unrest. Investigations also probed possible foreign links, including to Pakistan, citing Wangchuk’s prior visits across the border.
Wangchuk denied the charges, maintaining that his protests followed Gandhian non-violent principles. Supporters argued the detention was an attempt to suppress dissent amid broken promises on Ladakh’s safeguards.
Legal Challenge and Supreme Court Proceedings
Wangchuk’s wife, Dr. Gitanjali Angmo, filed a habeas corpus petition in the Supreme Court challenging the detention as illegal. The case, titled Gitanjali J. Angmo v. Union of India and Ors. (W.P.(Crl.) No. 399/2025), is being heard by a bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and P.B. Varale. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal represents the petitioner.
On February 4, 2026, the bench expressed concern over Wangchuk’s health, noting from a medical report that it was “not that good” due to age-related factors and digestive issues. Justice Kumar urged the Centre to reconsider the detention: “Apart from the submissions, counter submissions and law points, give it a thought as the officer of the Court.
The detention order was passed on September 29, 2025, nearly five months (ago). Considering more, particularly his health and condition of the detenue…which is certainly not very good. Even the report which we saw earlier… shows that his health is not that good, and there are certainly age-related (factors). Is there any possibility for the Government to rethink?”
The court directed a medical examination at AIIMS Jodhpur, where Wangchuk was examined and treated for stomachaches possibly from contaminated water.
Latest Hearing: Government Stands
In the February 11, 2026, hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, opposed any release, stating: “We have examined 24 times. He is fit, hale, and hearty. He had some digestive issues and he is being treated for that. There is nothing to worry [about]. Nothing alarming.” Mehta added: “We can’t make exceptions like this. The grounds on which the detention order was passed continue. It will not be possible to release him on health grounds. It may not be desirable, either. Since it has fallen from the court, we have given utmost consideration.”
Additional Solicitor General K.M. Nataraj, for the Union Territory administration, highlighted alleged objectionable statements by Wangchuk, such as references to events in Nepal implying potential violence. The bench cautioned against overinterpretation, with Justice Kumar remarking: “Too much of reading into it.” The court observed that Wangchuk’s statements appeared to express concern over departures from non-violence: “Read the complete sentence. He is expressing that this is something which is not welcome. This is worrying. If someone expresses a violent method, (it) is not proper. He is worrying. That’s his expression. We will have to take the entire statement.”
Mehta warned against glorifying Wangchuk’s actions, stating: “There is a stark distinction… chalk and cheese difference. Let’s not glorify something which is completely anti-India with the Father of the Nation… Let it not become tomorrow’s headline that your lordships compared the petitioner to Gandhiji… With this health facade also manufactured and synthesised, followed by a social media facade…”
The bench reiterated it was unconcerned with media or social media narratives, focusing instead on the merits of the case. As of now, Wangchuk remains in detention, with the Supreme Court continuing to monitor his health and the validity of the NSA invocation.
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