Sonam Wangchuk NSA Case: Supreme Court Questions Center on Activist's Detention & Health

For the past five months, Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent climate activist and teacher from Ladakh, has been imprisoned under the National Security Act (NSA). On February 5, 2026, a hearing in the Supreme Court twisted the matter with a new development that the court was not only concerned about Wangchuk's deteriorating health but also asked the central government to reconsider his detention.

Past Hearing and New Developments of February 4–5, 2026

On February 4, 2026, a bench of Justices Arvind Kumar and P.B. Varale asked a highly significant humanitarian and legal question to the central government, and the court stated that Wangchuk had been imprisoned for about five months, and his medical records reflect that his condition is very poor.

The Court's Critical Observation: "Is it necessary to continue, given the medical findings and the fact that he has already been detained for five months? He is not a habitual offender; rather, he is an activist.

The matter was briefly heard on February 5, but it has been postponed until February 9, 2026, as the central government has prayed for more time to obtain instructions.

The central government's position on the "Arab Spring" and accusations of inciting violence was defended by ASG K.M. Nataraj and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta. Wangchuk used movements like the "Arab Spring" to excite the Ladakh youth, according to the authorities.

Allegations: The government; accuses Wangchuk of inciting 'Gen-Z' (today's youthful generation) by referencing protests in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

Argument over Violence: The central government made allegations that the violence in Leh on September 24, 2025, in which four people were killed and hundreds were injured, was a direct result of Wangchuk's inflammatory comments.

Sensitive zone: The administration noted that Ladakh is a border and sensitive zone where such comments could jeopardise national security.

Defence Arguments: Kapil Sibal’s Powerful Submissions

Senior counsel Kapil Sibal, representing Wangchuk's wife, Dr. Geetanjali Angmo, dismissed the claims as absolutely unfounded. He presented several crucial points in court:

Appeal for Peace: Sibal presented a video in court in which Wangchuk was appealing for an end to violence and for the maintenance of peace. He alleged that the police deliberately concealed this video from the record.

Copy-Paste Order: The defence alleged that the District Magistrate (DM) imposed the National Security Act (NSA) by simply "copy-pasting" the recommendation sent by the police without applying his own mind.

Lack of Documents: Wangchuk was never provided with the videos and evidence on the basis of which he was detained. This is a violation of his constitutional rights.

The legal complexities of detention under the NSA

Sonam Wangchuk was arrested on 26.09.2025. NSA gives the government that they can detain any person for up to 12 months without any official accusations if the person is deemed a threat to national security. However, the Supreme Court is now investigating whether applying this law to the climate activist constitutes an “abuse of power".

Next hearing date: February 9, 2026.

The Supreme Court asked the central government, "Is it required to keep Sonam Wangchuk in prison any longer?”

If the government considers releasing him or lessening his detention, it would be a great win for democracy and freedom of speech.

Conclusion: 

Wangchuk is demanding Sixth Schedule status and statehood for Ladakh, and presently, he is fighting for his own freedom. We should ask ourselves a question that the voice of a Gandian activist be suppressed by labelling it an “Arab Spring”? Although, which is fake or true? We will know, and the truth will be revealed soon.