SRINAGAR: The central government on Wednesday opposed the release of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on medical grounds, telling the Supreme Court that he is “hale and hearty” and suffering only from a minor infection, according to Live Law report.
The Centre also stated that it would not be appropriate to review Wangchuk’s detention as suggested by the court. The Ladakh-based activist has been detained under the National Security Act (NSA) in connection with violent protests in Leh last year, in which four people were killed and over 150 others were injured.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta made the submission before a bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and PB Varale in response to the Supreme Court’s earlier observation asking authorities to consider his release due to concerns about his health.
Mehta informed the court that Wangchuk had undergone medical examination 24 times in accordance with the jail manual and was found to be fit. He said the activist had experienced a digestive issue and an infection, but maintained that the grounds for his detention remained valid. He argued that making exceptions for release on such grounds would not lead to a positive outcome and added that the Centre had given due consideration to the court’s suggestion.
Last week, the Supreme Court observed that Wangchuk’s medical condition was not satisfactory and asked the Centre to reconsider its decision to continue his detention. The court had earlier directed authorities to have him examined by a specialist and submit a medical report. Wangchuk, who is currently lodged in Jodhpur jail, has been in detention for over four months, and the medical report was placed before the apex court during the previous hearing.
Wangchuk was detained on September 26 last year under the NSA following protests in Leh demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh. The Supreme Court is hearing a petition filed by his wife, Gitanjali Angmo, challenging his preventive detention.
Earlier, the government had informed the court that Wangchuk was attempting to create political and social unrest in Ladakh and was seeking to replicate developments seen in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.
