'Getting Better Medical Care Than Ladakh': Centre To SC During Sonam Wangchuk's Detention Hearing

Last Updated:February 09, 2026, 16:31 IST

Supreme Court urged Centre to reconsider Sonam Wangchuk's detention due to health concerns. Centre claims Wangchuk is receiving treatment at AIIMS Jaipur.

The Supreme Court on Monday once again urged the Centre to reconsider climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s detention following his deteriorating health condition. In response, the Union government told the top court that Wangchuk’s health is in “perfectly good" condition and he is receiving treatment at AIIMS Jaipur.

The court was hearing a habeas corpus petition, filed by Sonam Wangchuk’s wife, Dr Gitanjali Angmo, seeking to declare the detention of her husband as illegal.

A bench comprising Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice PB Varale was hearing the petition and urged the Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj to reconsider Wangchuk’s detention.

As per a report by Live Law, the Centre told the SC that Wangchuk is receiving better medical care in Rajasthan than Ladakh. Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj said, “So far, as the health issue is concerned, rather than being in Ladakh, Jaipur is the best place…There is AIIMS in Rajasthan, whereas in Ladakh, there would have been nothing."

Justice Kumar asked ASG if any progress had been made regarding the Court’s previous request to review Wangchuk’s detention owing to his deteriorating health. To this, ASG orally responded: “I will submit…No, nothing has been done."

On Wednesday, the top court had asked the Centre if there was any possibility for the government to relook at the detention of Wangchuk considering his health condition. The matter was adjourned to February 9.

During today’s hearing also, ASG requested a week’s adjournment. However, the bench refused the request and reminded the government that this is a habeas corpus plea, which cannot be postponed for long.

The matter will be next taken up on Wednesday.

Wangchuk was detained on September 26 last year, two days after violent protests demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh left four people dead in the Union Territory. The government accused him of inciting the violence.

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