Centre opposes Wangchuk release, says he's fit and detention stands
Centre opposes Wangchuk release, says he's fit and detention stands
Centre tells Supreme Court there is nothing alarming about Sonam Wangchuk's health after multiple medical checks, insisting detention grounds stay and release on medical grounds isn't feasible.
New Delhi: The Centre told the Supreme Court that climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has been medically examined 24 times since his detention and is fit, hale and hearty. There is nothing alarming in his condition, and releasing him on health grounds would not be feasible as the grounds for his detention remain active.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the health issues, such as a digestive problem, are being treated and there is nothing to worry about. He stressed that the authorities cannot make exceptions and that the detention grounds continue to apply, making release on medical grounds unlikely.
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj argued that Wangchuk was a chief provocateur in violent protests and allegedly instigated youths by citing examples from Nepal and the Arab Spring. The bench pressed for clarity, asking for the complete sentence to be read and noting that some readings could be misinterpreted. Justice discussed how one might read such statements without overreading them, emphasizing careful consideration of the full context.
The Supreme Court was hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali Angmo, seeking to declare his detention. The court heard submissions as the government defended the detention and reiterated that releasing him on health grounds would not be appropriate under the present grounds for detention, with the matter set for further hearings.
The dialogue between the bench and the government underscored ongoing questions about the balance between health concerns and security-related detention, as the case drags through the judiciary with continued scrutiny of the detention grounds and Wangchuk's health reports. The next hearing is expected to provide additional clarity on whether any relief can be afforded within the framework of the detention order.
