Geetanjali Angmo, the wife of well-known climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, visited him on Wednesday at Jodhpur Central Jail, where authorities detained him following the September 24 Leh violence.
Accompanied by lawyer Ritam Khare, Angmo confirmed the visit occurred on Tuesday, underscoring the serious nature of her husband’s predicament. Wangchuk’s legal team has secured a copy of his detention order, which will be challenged in court.
The detention document outlines specific allegations against Wangchuk, detailing the government’s invocation of the National Security Act (NSA) against him.
Prior to Angmo’s visit, Wangchuk’s brother Tsetan Dorje met him inside the prison, accompanied by lawyer Mustafa Haji. Following their meeting, Haji revealed that Wangchuk has called for an independent judicial inquiry into the killing of four protestors during last month’s unrest in Leh.
“Wangchuk has expressed his determination to stay in jail until the inquiry takes place,” Haji stated on X.
Meanwhile, Angmo has taken further legal action by filing a petition in the Supreme Court for her husband’s immediate release. The court is set to hear the petition on October 14.
Wangchuk, a prominent advocate for both environmental and social issues in Ladakh, faces serious charges after his detention under the NSA stemmed from violent clashes at protests demanding statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
After his arrest, Wangchuk was initially taken to Delhi before being moved to Jodhpur Central Jail on September 26, where he continues to advocate for his cause even from behind bars.
