Geetanjali Angmo, wife of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, met him on Tuesday at Jodhpur Central Jail. Wangchuk remains detained following the September 24 Leh violence.
Angmo shared the visit details on X, stating she was accompanied by lawyer Ritam Khare. During their meeting, she confirmed that Wangchuk’s legal team has obtained a copy of his detention order. They plan to challenge the detention in court.
According to Angmo, the detention order outlines the allegations against Wangchuk. It also specifies the reasons for invoking the National Security Act (NSA), which allows for preventive detention in cases where national security is at risk.
On the previous Saturday, Wangchuk’s brother, Tsetan Dorje, visited him in jail, accompanied by lawyer Mustafa Haji. Following their meeting, Haji posted on X, stating that Wangchuk pushed for an independent judicial inquiry into the deaths of four individuals during the protests in Leh.
“Wangchuk has expressed his determination to remain in jail until a judicial inquiry is conducted,” Haji noted, emphasizing Wangchuk’s commitment to justice.
In addition to pursuing legal avenues in Jodhpur, Angmo has filed a petition in the Supreme Court for her husband’s immediate release. The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing for October 14.
Wangchuk, a key advocate for environmentalism and social issues in Ladakh, faced detention under the NSA following violent clashes amid protests. These protests demanded statehood for Ladakh and the inclusion of the Union Territory under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which grants autonomy and protections to indigenous communities.
After his initial detention, authorities transported Wangchuk to Delhi before transferring him to Jodhpur Central Jail on September 26. His case has sparked widespread concern among human rights advocates and environmentalists alike.
As news of Wangchuk’s detention continues to unfold, public support appears to grow, highlighting his pivotal role in advocating for sustainable practices and the rights of local communities. Activists and supporters rally for justice, calling for accountability and a fair inquiry into the charges levied against him.
