The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Modi government on the arrest of Ladakh’s social activist Sonam Wangchuk. The bench of Justice Arvind Kumar and Justice NV Anjaria has asked the Central Government, Ladakh Administration and Jodhpur Jail Superintendent to file a reply on the petition. Wangchuk’s wife Geetanjali Angmo has challenged the detention of Sonam Wangchuk. In Angmo’s petition, his detention under NSA has been termed illegal.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Geetanjali Angmo, said she had not been given a copy of the detention order. Responding, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said Wangchuk had been provided with all the information and had been allowed to meet her brother in Jodhpur jail. Sibal countered that Wangchuk’s communication with her brother and lawyer was only allowed via intercom.
Sibal said that according to the law, the family of a detainee must be informed in writing of the grounds for detention, allowing them to legally challenge the grounds. This was not the case in this case. Sibal urged that documents related to the detention be provided to Wangchuk’s wife as well.
The court asked the government to consider providing a copy of the detention order to the petitioner. Mehta replied, “As per the law, it has already been provided to the prisoner. We will consider providing a copy to his wife as well. We have no specific objection, but we do not want this to be used as a new ground to challenge his detention later.” The Solicitor General also informed the court that the petitioner (Wangchuk’s wife) has applied to meet him in jail. Her request is being considered. Justice Kumar then directed the Jodhpur jail administration to decide on this matter in accordance with prison rules.
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