Wangchuk health stable, can't be released, Centre tells SC

The Centre on Wednesday (February 11), told the Supreme Court that it cannot release climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on medical grounds, claiming that he is “fit, hale and hearty”. The Centre said he has been examined 24 times since his detention and nothing is alarming.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told a bench of justices Aravind Kumar and PB Varale that grounds on which Wangchuk's detention order was passed continue.

Also read: Wangchuk detained for instigating people in sensitive border area: Centre to SC

"We have examined his health periodically for 24 times. He is fit, hale and hearty. He had some digestive issue, he is being treated. There is nothing to worry, nothing alarming. We can't make exceptions like this, Mehta told the bench.

Youth upsurge

During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj submitted that Wangchuk was a chief provocateur in the violent protests and he instigated youths by giving examples of Nepal and Arab Spring.

Nataraj stated that Wangchuk referred to the violent agitation in Nepal and said the same thing can happen in India.

At this juncture, the bench asked, "Where does he say that? He is saying they (the youth) have taken it. He himself is surprised." The ASG replied that the statement has to be inferred.

Also read: SC flags Sonam Wangchuk’s health, asks Centte to review detention

"Please come to next ground. He says deployment of armed forces in Ladakh is unfortunate. He says youth say peaceful methods have not proved effective," Nataraj said.

The bench then observed, "He is saying that the youth is saying that. Read the complete sentence. He is saying this is something worrying. If somebody expresses that violent method is not the proper way. You are doing too much of reading."

Wangchuk’s detention

The top court was hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by Wangchuk's wife Gitanjali Angmo seeking to declare his detention under the National Security Act (NSA), 1980, as illegal.

The NSA empowers the Centre and states to detain individuals to prevent them from acting in a manner "prejudicial to the defence of India". The maximum detention period is 12 months, though it can be revoked earlier.

Also read: Sonam Wangchuk not seen in videos used for NSA detention: Sibal informs SC

Angmo said the unfortunate events of violence in Leh on September 24 last year cannot be attributed to the actions or statements of Wangchuk in any manner.

Wangchuk himself condemned the violence through his social media handles and categorically said violence would lead to the failure of Ladakh's "tapasya" and peaceful pursuit of five years, Angmo said, adding it was the saddest day of his life.