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The Delhi High Court received confirmation on Thursday from the Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta, that renowned climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and his associates had been released from detention. The court was hearing petitions seeking their release and challenging a prohibitory order issued by the Delhi Police Commissioner's office on September 30th, which restricted public gatherings. Mehta informed the court that the order had been withdrawn due to changed circumstances, effectively ending the restrictions on their movements.
Wangchuk and his group, numbering around 120 individuals from Ladakh, had been detained earlier in the week at the Delhi border while participating in a march towards the capital. The 'Delhi Chalo Padyatra', led by Wangchuk, had begun a month prior in Leh, aiming to raise awareness and advocate for the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. Mehta clarified that the detention of the activists was not in the traditional sense, stating that they had been released and were free to move about. He further revealed that they had visited Rajghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, the previous day, where they presented a memorandum to the Ministry of Home Affairs, which was subsequently accepted.
However, during the court proceedings, Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the petitioner, expressed concerns about the activists' freedom. He claimed that they had not been fully released and that Wangchuk was not allowed to meet his associates, who were being held in different locations. Bhushan maintained that Wangchuk had been taken to Ladakh Bhawan, while others were being kept in Ambedkar Bhawan. He argued that there were still restrictions on their movement and urged the court to order the production of Wangchuk before the court. Mehta strongly disputed these claims, reiterating that according to his information, all the activists, including Wangchuk, were free. He challenged Bhushan's assertions, requesting him to submit an affidavit detailing the source of his information.
The court acknowledged Mehta's statements and recorded the information. The court subsequently proceeded to dispose of the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in the matter. The release of Sonam Wangchuk and his associates brings to a conclusion a tense situation surrounding their detention and the restrictions placed on their movements. While the court has acknowledged their release, concerns remain regarding the extent of their freedom and whether there are still any limitations on their activities. It remains to be seen how the future unfolds for Wangchuk and his advocacy efforts for Ladakh's inclusion under the Sixth Schedule.
Source: Activist Sonam Wangchuk, others released from detention, Delhi High Court told