Gitanjali Angmo, the wife of prominent Ladakh-based climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, has approached the Supreme Court of India seeking her husband's release from jail. Wangchuk was arrested on September 26 under the National Security Act (NSA) and subsequently moved to Jodhpur Central Jail in Rajasthan.

Angmo's plea challenges the legality of Wangchuk's detention and requests his immediate release. She has also questioned the decision to invoke the NSA against him. In her petition, Angmo expressed concerns about the lack of information regarding Wangchuk's well-being.

Wangchuk's arrest followed violent protests in Leh on September 24, where demonstrators were demanding statehood for Ladakh and the extension of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to the region. The protests resulted in the deaths of four people and injuries to dozens more. Authorities have accused Wangchuk of inciting the protests, alleging that his speeches provoked the crowds. They also accused him of having links with a Pakistani intelligence officer.

Gitanjali Angmo has refuted these allegations, denying any contact between her husband and Pakistani intelligence. She has accused the Ladakh police of having a "politically motivated agenda" against implementing the Sixth Schedule and attempting to make Wangchuk a scapegoat.

The Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution provides for the administration of tribal areas as autonomous regions. Proponents of its extension to Ladakh argue that it would help protect the region's distinct cultural identity and natural resources.

Prior to his arrest, Wangchuk had staged a 14-day hunger strike to draw attention to the demands for statehood and Sixth Schedule protections. He has been a vocal advocate for environmental protection and sustainable development in the Ladakh region, gaining recognition as a climate activist and innovator.

Angmo has also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, Home Minister Amit Shah, and other top officials, seeking her husband's immediate release. She voiced concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding Wangchuk's detention, stating that she has not been allowed to meet or speak with him since his arrest. She also raised concerns about his health and access to basic amenities, especially after his recent hunger strike.

Several political figures and organizations have condemned Wangchuk's arrest and called for his release. CPI-M MP Amra Ram was reportedly denied permission to meet Wangchuk at the Jodhpur jail.

Sonam Wangchuk has been a significant figure in Ladakh, contributing to education reform, climate activism, and technological innovation. He has collaborated with government bodies on various initiatives, including water conservation, clean energy, and tourism. His arrest under the NSA has sparked controversy, raising questions about the government's approach to dealing with dissent and regional aspirations.