Delhi, 15 October (H.S.): The Supreme Court on Wednesday permitted an amendment to the petition challenging the arrest of Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk, filed by his wife, Geetanjali. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Geetanjali, sought leave to amend the plea after the Union government stated that the grounds of arrest had been served on Wangchuk. The Court allowed the request.

During the hearing, Sibal told the bench that Wangchuk had prepared notes to contest his detention, but these were not being shared with his wife. The Court directed that Wangchuk’s notes be transmitted through counsel and shared with Geetanjali.

According to the petition, Wangchuk was arrested on September 26 and is lodged in Jodhpur jail, Rajasthan. Geetanjali has sought his release and raised concern that, even a week after the arrest, she had not received information on his health.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, submitted earlier that a copy of the grounds of arrest had been provided. Wangchuk has been campaigning for full statehood for Ladakh. Reports of violence in Ladakh, including firing that left four people dead, have formed part of the case’s broader context.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar