Geetanjali Angmo, the wife of prominent climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, visited him at Jodhpur Central Jail on Tuesday, where he remains detained following the violent incidents during protests in Leh on September 24. Accompanied by lawyer Ritam Khare, Angmo confirmed that Wangchuk’s legal team has obtained his detention order, which they plan to challenge in court.
In a post on X, Angmo shared that the obtained document outlines the specific allegations against her husband and clarifies the basis for invoking the National Security Act (NSA). This sequence of events has sparked considerable concern among Wangchuk’s supporters and advocates for climate justice.
During a previous visit to the detention facility, Wangchuk’s brother Tsetan Dorje met him, accompanied by another lawyer, Mustafa Haji. Post-visit, Haji revealed via X that Wangchuk demands an independent judicial inquiry into the tragic events that resulted in the deaths of four individuals during the protests last month. He highlighted that Wangchuk is resolute in his resolve to persist in jail until an inquiry takes place.
Angmo, aiming to secure her husband’s release, has filed a petition in the Supreme Court. The hearing on her plea is slated for October 14, amidst heightened scrutiny of government actions regarding detainees acting on social and environmental issues.
Wangchuk is well-known for advocating for environmental and social justice in Ladakh. His detention arose amidst violent protests advocating for statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which grants special autonomy to various regions. Following his arrest, authorities initially transported him to Delhi before transferring him to Jodhpur Central Jail on September 26.
As the legal process unfolds, supporters are rallying around Wangchuk, urging for a swift and fair judicial response. The broader socio-political implications of this case resonate throughout Ladakh, where calls for environmental sustainability and state rights continue to grow amid ongoing tensions.
