Gitanjali Angmo, wife of climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk, on Friday alleged that she was under constant surveillance in the national capital and that one of her staff members had been detained and subjected to inhumane treatment by the police. Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) after violent protests in Leh on September 24 and has since been shifted to Jodhpur Central Jail in Rajasthan.
Angmo alleges harassment and surveillance
Speaking to ANI, Angmo said a vehicle follows her wherever she goes in Delhi, raising concerns about personal safety. She also claimed that one of the staff members working closely with her husband’s movement was detained and is facing mental and physical torture in custody.
“I am being followed everywhere in Delhi. A car follows me wherever I go. One of the staff members who was working closely with us was detained. He is in police custody, being beaten up and tortured mentally and physically,” she alleged.
Habeas corpus plea in Supreme Court
Angmo confirmed that she has filed a habeas corpus petition in the Supreme Court, challenging her husband’s preventive detention under NSA. She argued that Wangchuk poses no threat to national security and that his arrest is illegal.
“I am worried about how he must be getting treated in jail. This message should reach throughout India: If justice can be delayed for a celebrity with whom the whole country is rallying, who has worked at the grassroots, then what recourse does a commoner have?” she asked.
Angmo said that despite her letter to the President, Prime Minister and Law Minister, urging Wangchuk’s immediate release and seeking permission to meet him, she has not received any response. “There was no response till yesterday. That is why we filed a petition under habeas corpus with the Supreme Court of India,” she said.
‘No judicial help so far’
The activist’s wife said that although she was informally told that a few people could meet Wangchuk in jail, she has not received anything in writing from the authorities. “I was told by a member of an apex body that the DSP informed him that some people could meet Sonam. I told him I want this in writing. But I never received anything,” Angmo explained.
Support but no politicisation
Angmo said she has received widespread support from across the country but emphasised that she does not want the matter to be politicised.
“We have support from every corner, but we do not want to politicise this issue because that is not aligned with Sonam’s or my value system. We have always been apolitical. We want to fight this on its merits,” she said.
She added that civil society groups, NGOs, retired military officers, influencers, and members of the public have all expressed solidarity. “We are grateful to each of you, but we do not want this to become a political agenda. Sonam has dedicated his life to science, education, the environment and the youth with purity of purpose. We want to carry this forward in that same spirit,” she said.
Background
Sonam Wangchuk, known for his contributions to education and environmental activism in Ladakh, was detained following large-scale protests demanding constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule for Ladakh. His detention has drawn criticism from civil society groups and rights activists, who argue that using the NSA against a non-violent activist undermines democratic values.
With the matter now before the Supreme Court, Wangchuk’s detention is likely to trigger further debate on the use of preventive detention laws in India.