Overview
- A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and P. B. Varale is hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, challenging his September 26, 2025 preventive detention.
- Kapil Sibal argued that four videos cited as grounds for detention were not furnished, undermining Wangchuk’s right to make an effective representation guaranteed by Article 22.
- The petition contends the District Magistrate failed to apply an independent mind and effectively copy‑pasted the Ladakh SSP’s recommendation, while also relying on stale FIRs and unrelated or post‑event videos in which Wangchuk does not appear.
- Sibal urged that Section 5A of the National Security Act cannot be used to cure non‑disclosure or dilute constitutional safeguards, asserting that severability applies only after full supply of relied‑upon materials.
- Authorities maintain the detention is lawful, saying grounds were supplied within time and jail access was provided, as the case stems from violent Ladakh protests that left four dead and 90 injured.