By Admin 
The Supreme Court has issued a notice on a petition challenging the custody of Ladakh social activist Sonam Wangchuk. In the petition of Wangchuk’s wife Geetanjali Angmo, his custody under NSA has been described as illegal. A 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.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Gitanjali Angmo, said that he was not given a copy of the detention order. Responding to this, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that all the information has been given to Wangchuk. His brother has also been met in Jodhpur jail. On this, Sibal said that Wangchuk’s talk to his brother and lawyer was made only on intercom.
Sibal said that according to the law, the family of the person detained should be told in writing on the basis of custody. Only then can he give him a legal challenge. This did not happen in this case. Sibal urged that documents related to custody should also be given to Wangchuk’s wife.
Copy of order copy to family
The court said that the government should consider providing a copy of the custody order to the petitioner. On this, Mehta said, ‘Under the law it has been given to the prisoner. We will also consider giving a copy to the wife. We do not have any special objection, but we do not want to challenge custody by making it a new basis later.
Possible meeting with wife soon
The Solicitor General also told the court that the petitioner (Wangchuk’s wife) has applied to meet him in jail. His request is being considered. On this, Justice Kumar said that the Jodhpur jail administration should take a decision on this according to the jail rules.
‘Claims about drugs are false’
Mehta questioned the fact that Sonam Wangchuk has been denied necessary medicines. Mehta said, ‘He himself has said in front of the medical officer that he is not on any medicine. All this is being done only to create an emotional atmosphere in the media. On this, the court directed that the prisoner should be given necessary medical facilities as per the jail rules.
What is the matter?
Magsaysay Award -awarded environmental scientist Sonam Wangchuk is the main face of Ladakh’s movement for a long time. This movement is related to the demand for state status to Ladakh and special status under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The movement took a fierce form in the past. The Ladakh administration accused Sonam of working for foreign powers. On 26 September, he was detained and sent to Jodhpur Jail in Rajasthan. He is accused of keeping contact with Pakistan’s intelligence agency, illegal donations from abroad.