Sonam Wangchuk Can't Be Released On Medical Grounds, Nothing Alarming About His Health : Union To Supreme Court
Gursimran Kaur Bakshi
11 Feb 2026 2:56 PM IST
"He[Wangchuk] is fit, hale, and hearty," Solicitor General said.
The Union Government told the Supreme Court today that Ladakh social activist Sonam Wangchuk cannot be released from detention on medical grounds.
Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta, stated that the Union Government gave utmost consideration to the Court's request to review the detention of health grounds, but the Court's request could not be processed.
Before a bench comprising Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice PB Varale, Mehta informed that Wangchuk has been examined 28 times as per the Jail Manual and he is "fit, hale and hearty". Mehta added that Wangchuk has developed some digestive issues, but he is being treated.
"He[Wangchuk] is fit, hale, and hearty. He had some digestive issue and he is being treated for that. There is nothing to worry. Nothing alarming," Mehta submitted. He added that exceptions cannot be made in preventive detention matters and it is also not desirable.
It may be noted that in one of the previous hearings, Justice Varale had orally raised the issue that Wangchuk is not in good condition in terms of his health, and suggested that his detention may be reconsidered. Justice Kumar also concurred. When the matter was taken up after this, Nataraj sought an adjournment and orally mentioned that there had been no progress.
The bench then orally remarked that this is not a case where the Union is disputing Wangchuk's health condition.
This comes after Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal (representing Angmo) recently moved an application seeking that a specialist doctor examine Wangchuk, as he had frequently complained of stomachache, possibly due to contaminated water. Pursuant to the Court's order, Wangchuk was reportedly examined by doctors at AIIMS Jodhpur, and a report was submitted to the Court.
The bench was hearing the habeas corpus petition filed by Wangchuk's wife Dr Gitanjali Angmo, challenging his detention under the National Security Act, 1980, as illegal. Wangchuk was detained on September 26, 2025, and brought to Jodhpur after the protests in Ladakh demanding statehood turned violent.
Case Details: GITANJALI J. ANGMO v UNION OF INDIA AND ORS|W.P.(Crl.) No. 399/2025
The writ petition has been filed by Advocate on Record, Dr Sarvam Ritam Khare