The Centre and the Union Territory of Ladakh on Monday accused activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk’s wife, Dr. Gitanjali J. Angmo, of creating a “hype” and an “emotive” atmosphere over her husband’s detention under the National Security Act (NSA).
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Supreme Court that the grounds for Wangchuk’s preventive detention, imposed on 26 September following protests in Leh that left four dead and 90 injured, had already been disclosed to Wangchuk and that there is no legal requirement to share them with family members.
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Angmo had challenged Wangchuk’s detention as illegal under Article 22 and filed a habeas corpus petition under Article 32. Her lawyer, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, requested that the grounds of arrest be provided to her and sought interim relief for Wangchuk’s medical needs.
The bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria refrained from issuing any immediate orders but asked Mehta to examine the feasibility of providing the grounds of arrest. Regarding medical support, Mehta stated that Wangchuk denied being on medications during examination and assured the court that any medicines required would be provided.
Mehta further claimed that many allegations in the media were being raised to create an “emotive atmosphere” portraying Wangchuk as deprived of medical relief or access to his wife. The court, however, noted that if prison rules allow, Angmo will be granted visitation rights.
The Supreme Court posted the next hearing for 14 October, even as Mehta suggested that Angmo might later modify her petition. During the proceedings, Sibal and Mehta had a brief exchange, which the bench quickly closed, moving on to the next case.
