New Delhi, October 6 (IANS) The Supreme Court is ready to hear a petition to challenge the arrest of Ladakh-based climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk on Monday.
The petition filed by his wife Geetanjali Angamo on 2 October seeks his immediate release, arguing that the arrest is politically motivated and violates his fundamental rights.
Wangchuk has been imprisoned in Jodhpur, Rajasthan after his arrest on 24 September, after violent protests in Leh, Ladakh on 24 September. The case will be heard by a bench including Justice Arvind Kumar and Justice NV Anjaria.
However, the Ladakh administration has strongly defended its actions, issuing an official statement earlier this week, dismissing the victim’s allegations. The administration termed the claims as “baseless”, stating that arrests and related tasks were taken on the basis of reliable input, documents and legal grounds.
The administration said, “There is no question of witch-shikar or smoke screen,” requesting that the legal process be allowed to move forward fairly.
The statement examines alleged financial irregularities and foreign exchange violations, including the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIL), which is an educational institution established by Wangchuk. Officials claim that HIL is releasing degrees without official recognition, which has endangered students’ futures, and has allegedly failed to disclose foreign funds in its financial statements.
In addition, the FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) of another organization Sexmol, another organization associated with Wangchuk, has been canceled due to several violations allegedly.
Regarding Sonam Wangchuk’s recent hunger strike and public statements, the administration accused him of making stimulating comments, including references to Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, and instigated the youth against peaceful methods allegedly. It also quoted a video of June 2025 on its YouTube channel, where Wangchuk allegedly spoke of a “Arab Spring” -Style Revolution and suggested self -immunity as protest.
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