Appearing before a bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and PB Varale, Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta submitted that Wangchuk’s medical condition does not warrant his release on Feb 11, 2026.
“He has been examined periodically some 24 times as per the jail manual. He is fit and hearty. He had a digestive issue, an infection. If we start making such exceptions (to release him), it will not lead to a positive outcome,” Mehta told the court.
He further stated, “The grounds on which the detention order was passed continue. It will not be possible to release him on health grounds. It may not be desirable, either. Since it has fallen from your lordships, we have given utmost consideration.”
The submission came after the Supreme Court earlier urged the Centre to reconsider Wangchuk’s continued detention in light of concerns over his health.
Health condition and medical treatment
On Monday (Feb 9), the Centre informed the apex court that Wangchuk’s health condition remains “perfectly good” and that he is currently receiving treatment at AIIMS Jaipur.
According to reports, the government argued that Wangchuk is receiving superior medical care in Rajasthan compared to Ladakh. Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj told the court, “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.”
The Centre emphasised that medical examinations have been conducted regularly in accordance with jail procedures.
Background of detention
Sonam Wangchuk, a Ramon Magsaysay awardee and a prominent face of the movement demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule safeguards for Ladakh, was detained on September 26 last year under the National Security Act.
His detention came two days after violent protests erupted in Leh over demands for statehood and constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule. The unrest reportedly left four people dead and more than 150 injured across the Union Territory.
Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, has challenged his detention before the Supreme Court, seeking his release.
Supreme Court’s earlier observations
Earlier this week, the Supreme Court had observed that nearly five months had passed since Wangchuk’s detention and asked the Centre for a “thoughtful relook” at the matter, particularly considering health-related concerns raised in the plea.
However, the Centre reiterated that the detention order remains legally valid and that no exceptional grounds exist for granting relief.
The matter is expected to be heard further as the apex court considers the submissions from both sides.
