Supreme Court closes Sonam Wangchuk Detention challenge as case becomes Infructuous

The Supreme Court disposed of a habeas corpus petition filed by Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wife, after noting that the Union government had already revoked his detention under the National Security Act. A Bench of Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice PB Varale closed the matter, bringing an end to the challenge as the relief sought had effectively been granted outside court. The decision underscores that once detention is withdrawn, judicial proceedings on continued custody lose their basis.

The petition stemmed from the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act following protests in Leh over demands for statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh. His wife, Gitanjali Angmo, approached the Supreme Court through a habeas corpus plea alleging unlawful detention and seeking his immediate release. While the case was pending, the Centre defended the detention and later informed the Court that the order had been withdrawn on March 14, citing considerations of peace, stability, and public trust in the region.

During hearings, the matter saw repeated adjournments amid disputes over video material relied upon by the government, while the petitioner’s side pressed for urgent adjudication, arguing continued deprivation of liberty concerns until the last stage of proceedings.

Taking note of the government’s decision to revoke the detention, the Bench held that no live dispute survived for adjudication. The Court remarked, “What else is left?” while refusing to keep the matter pending despite a request for adjournment. It further recorded that once the detention order stood withdrawn, the petition had lost its legal foundation.

The Bench accordingly disposed of the plea, holding that the habeas corpus challenge had become infructuous following Wangchuk’s release.