A bench of Justices Arvind Kumar and NV Anjaria examined an affidavit filed by the Jodhpur jail superintendent. The affidavit stated that Sonam Wangchuk’s elder brother and his lawyer had met him.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Geetanjali Angmo, requested the court that he wanted to amend his petition. He also requested that Sonam Wangchuk be allowed to communicate with his wife in writing. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta did not object to this.

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Speaking to the media in Leh, Geetanjali Angmo stated that the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is responsible for the worsening situation. She stated that tensions escalated after tear gas shells were fired at youth, leading to a worsening situation.

Angmo stressed that Sonam Wangchuk is dedicated to patriotism and has always conducted his protests peacefully.

Gitanjali stated that Sonam’s entire life has been dedicated to scientific and peaceful efforts against climate change. He has deep faith in the country’s Constitution and democracy. Regarding questions raised about Sonam’s participation in the “Breathe Pakistan” conference held in Pakistan in February, Geetanjali stated that it was a multinational environmental event organized under the aegis of the United Nations, whose sole purpose was to discuss issues of environmental protection and air pollution.

Geetanjali Angmo also has a unique background. She was born into a Punjabi Jain family in Balasore, Odisha. After graduating in Physics, she earned an MBA and then left her corporate job to work in the fields of education, social reform, and innovation in Ladakh. It was in Ladakh that she met Sonam Wangchuk, where they together founded the Himalayan Institute of Alliance (HIAL).

Geetanjali says that this is a time for peace and understanding, not false accusations and violence. She hopes that the truth will soon emerge and her husband will be vindicated.

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The DGP stated that security forces opened fire in self-defense, resulting in the deaths of four people. Additionally, 32 people were seriously injured, and the number soon rose to 70-80. The injured included 17 CRPF personnel and 15 Ladakh police officers. Six to seven people are still receiving treatment in Ladakh hospitals.

Dr. Jamwal also stated that after this incident, the situation in Ladakh will return to normal, and its culture and hospitality will be maintained. He explained that after Ladakh became a Union Territory, political demands were being raised regarding the Sixth Schedule and statehood. Long discussions were underway with the government, but attempts were being made to sabotage this process.

The DGP said,

“The movement was hijacked by anti-social elements. A large group, consisting of approximately 5,000-6,000 people, gathered to attack government buildings and party offices. There were incidents of stone pelting and attacks on security forces.”

He also stated that preliminary talks on the issue were planned in Delhi on September 25-26, but the hunger strike was initiated before that, which was diverted by elements seeking to harm peace and law and order.

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The Union Home Ministry has held Wangchuk responsible for the violence. The ministry alleges that he attempted to incite the people of Ladakh by citing the Generation Z protests in Nepal.

Following this incident, the central government took strict action and immediately revoked the FCRA license of the Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), an NGO founded by Wangchuk. Additionally, another NGO, the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh (HIAL), is also accused of violating FCRA rules. The Ministry states that this NGO deposited local donations into an FCRA account, which is prohibited under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010.

In 2019, the central government abolished Article 370, bifurcating Jammu and Kashmir and granting Ladakh separate Union Territory status. At the time, a large population in Ladakh welcomed this decision, but now the people there are demanding statehood and constitutional protection.

Reacting to this development, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said that Sonam Wangchuk’s arrest was extremely worrying. She wrote on social media, “A supporter of peace and truth is being punished simply for demanding his rights. There is a curfew in Leh and the internet is shut down. In today’s times, speaking the truth comes at a heavy price.”

It is noteworthy that last year, when Sonam Wangchuk went on a hunger strike demanding the Sixth Schedule, he had said that he was a big fan of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But now the government finds it unbearable to remind its supporters of its promises.

The situation in Leh remains tense. There is a heavy deployment of security forces and internet services have been suspended.

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