Sonam Wangchuk (File photo)
NEW DELHI: The Centre on Monday informed the Supreme Court that detained climate activist Sonam Wangchuk is in “perfectly good” health and is receiving the “best possible treatment” from AIIMS, Jodhpur while in custody.Wangchuk has been lodged in a jail in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, since September last year in connection with his alleged role in the deadly pro-statehood protests in his native Ladakh. He was detained under the National Security Act (NSA), a stringent law that permits preventive detention without formal charges or trial for up to 12 months.The Supreme Court is hearing a plea filed by Wangchuk’s wife, social entrepreneur Gitanjali Angmo, seeking a declaration that his detention is “illegal.”At the outset of the latest hearing, Justice Aravind Kumar, who is hearing the matter along with Justice PB Varale, asked Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj, appearing for the Union government, whether any progress had been made on the bench’s request to review the former educationist’s detention in light of his deteriorating health.”What happened? Any progress? Has it been done?” Justice Kumar asked Nataraj. ASG Nataraj replied, “I will submit… Nothing has been done as of now. He is getting the best of treatment.”A counsel appearing for Wangchuk submitted that it is “high time” to reconsider his detention, as the 59-year-old continues to remain unwell.”There are issues, and it’s not like you are not denying it, and he is also making a complaint of health issues. The doctor says yes, it is there, and now treatment is being provided. Admittedly, the health issue is there, and on the last day itself we made the suggestion,” Justice Varale told Nataraj.The ASG submitted, “So far, the health issue is concerned, he is perfectly good… Jaipur is a better place to get treatment than Ladakh. There is AIIMS in Rajasthan, whereas in Ladakh, there would have been nothing.”The bench posted the plea for further hearing on Wednesday and made it clear that no further adjournments would be granted in the matter.This followed the Supreme Court’s observation on February 4 that Wangchuk’s health report was “not good,” prompting it to ask if the Centre would consider whether his detention could be reviewed in view of his medical condition.Earlier, appearing for Angmo, senior advocate Kapil Sibal had moved an application seeking a medical examination of Wangchuk by a specialist, citing his frequent complaints of stomach pain, possibly caused by contaminated water.Pursuant to the court’s directions, Wangchuk was examined by doctors at AIIMS Jodhpur, and a medical report was subsequently submitted to the Supreme Court.Wangchuk has rejected the allegations by the Union government and the Ladakh administration that he had called for the “overthrow” of the government, akin to movements such as the Arab Spring and recent youth-led protests in neighbouring Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. He has asserted that he was merely exercising his “democratic right” to criticise and protest.(With PTI inputs)
