Geetanjali Angmo, the wife of prominent climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, visited him at Jodhpur Central Jail on Tuesday. Wangchuk remains detained after the September 24 Leh violence that sparked national attention.
In her post on X, Angmo confirmed that she met her husband along with lawyer Ritam Khare. During the visit, they received a copy of the detention order against Wangchuk, which they intend to challenge in court.
Angmo pointed out that the document outlines the serious allegations directed at Wangchuk. It also notes the invocation of the National Security Act (NSA), a legal measure typically reserved for cases deemed threats to national security.
Last Saturday, Wangchuk’s brother, Tsetan Dorje, visited him, joined by his lawyer Mustafa Haji. Haji later stated on X that Wangchuk demands an independent judicial inquiry into the tragic killing of four individuals during the protests in Leh.
“Wangchuk has expressed his willingness to remain behind bars until a thorough inquiry is conducted,” Haji shared with followers online.
Amid ongoing developments, Angmo has filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking her husband’s immediate release. The hearing for this plea is set for October 14.
Wangchuk, who has relentlessly advocated for environmental and social causes in Ladakh, is detained under the NSA following upheaval during a protest advocating for statehood for Ladakh. The protest also emphasized the region’s need for inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, aimed at protecting the rights of indigenous populations.
After his initial detention, authorities transported him to Delhi before moving him to Jodhpur Central Jail on September 26. His case has garnered substantial media coverage, highlighting the confrontation between state authorities and activists advocating for community rights and ecological protection.
