Sonam Wangchuk detention plea hearing adjourn till October 29

The scheduled hearing on Sonam Wangchuk’s detention has been adjourned to October 29, 2025, the Supreme Court confirmed on Wednesday.

Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Anmo, stated that the court has ordered that notes prepared by Wangchuk challenging his detention be handed over to her.

She said, “This fundamental right to legal aid and assistance was being denied to Sonam by the authorities. We shall file an amendment to the petition to challenge the grounds of detention before the next hearing on 29th Oct, 2025. My heartfelt thanks to @KapilSibal @VTankha @RitamKhare. We have full faith in the judiciary, the constitution, the media, and the people of India!”

Earlier, the apex court had issued notices and sought responses from the Union government and other authorities. In its affidavit, the Leh administration defended Wangchuk’s detention under the National Security Act (NSA), stating that the action was taken lawfully after reviewing all relevant material.

The District Magistrate of Leh, Romil Singh Donk, said the detention order, passed on September 26, was based on Wangchuk’s activities deemed “prejudicial to the security of the state, maintenance of public order, and services essential to the community.” The affidavit emphasized that all procedural safeguards under Article 22 of the Constitution and Section 8 of the NSA were followed.

It further stated that Wangchuk and his family were promptly informed about his detention and transfer to Jodhpur Central Jail, and the grounds of detention were communicated to him on September 29, within the mandatory five-day period. Wangchuk acknowledged receipt with his signature.

The affidavit also noted that Wangchuk was medically examined multiple times, found physically fit, and informed the medical officer that he was not on any medication. It added that no representation against the detention had been submitted by Wangchuk to the detaining authority so far.

The Supreme Court will now hear the matter on October 29, when Wangchuk’s legal team plans to challenge the grounds of his detention.

(With inputs from syndicated feed)