New Delhi, October 14 — The Ladakh administration has informed the Supreme Court that climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act (NSA), 1980, after due process, citing his activities as prejudicial to state security and public order, according to details received by The Chenab Times.
In an affidavit filed by the Leh District Magistrate before a bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria, the officer stated that the detention order was passed on September 26 following “subjective satisfaction” based on reviewed material, in compliance with constitutional safeguards under Article 22. The affidavit was submitted in response to a petition filed by Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Angmo, challenging the detention.
“The order of detention came to be passed by me after duly considering the material placed before me, as mandated under law, and after arriving at a subjective satisfaction on the circumstances that prevailed within the local limits of the jurisdiction where Wangchuk had been indulging in activities prejudicial to the security of the state, maintenance of public order, and services essential to the community,” the officer stated in the affidavit.
The administration asserted that Wangchuk was informed of his detention and transfer to Central Jail, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, on the same day it occurred. His wife was notified telephonically via the SHO, Police Station Leh, which she acknowledged in her petition. The affidavit dismissed claims of non-communication as “false and misleading.”
Regarding procedural compliance, the officer noted that the grounds of detention, along with supporting material, were communicated to Wangchuk within five days, as required under Section 8 of the NSA. The order was also forwarded to the Advisory Board under Section 10 within the prescribed period. Wangchuk has not made a representation to the board, although his wife’s letter to the President of India was placed before it. The board informed him on October 10 that he could submit any representation within one week, if desired.
The hearing, originally listed for Tuesday, was deferred as Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Wangchuk, was occupied in another court. The matter is now scheduled to be heard on Wednesday.
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| Full name | Tahir Rihat | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Also known as | Tahir Bilal | ||
| Date of Birth | 02 January 1999 | ||
| Occupation | Journalist; Online Editor | ||
| Employer | The Chenab Times | ||
| Base | Thathri, Doda, Jammu & Kashmir, India | ||
| Website | tahirrihat.com | ||
| Social | YouTube | ||
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an Indian journalist and online editor at The Chenab Times. Based in Thathri, Doda, he reports on regional affairs, civic governance, and human-interest stories across Jammu and Kashmir. Rihat also maintains a personal website, tahirrihat.com, where he shares professional updates and reflections on journalism in the Chenab Valley.
