The government recently informed the high court that Sonam Wangchuk was not detained but was not allowed to leave the guesthouse. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has been released from detention but restrictions on his movements by police and security agencies continued for the fourth consecutive day.
He led the Delhi Chalo padayatra that began from Leh a month ago. The padayatra, supported by 150 people, was detained by the Delhi Police after the delegation reached the Delhi-Haryana border at Singhu in north Delhi on September 30, demanding constitutional safeguards for the region.
As per the plan, the march was to culminate at Rajghat on October 2 on Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary and a sit-in was planned at Jantar Mantar. On Wednesday, Wangchuk and other members of the delegation were taken to Rajghat in groups in the presence of extensive police force after being detained for nearly 40 hours.
According to Mr Hanifa, talks are being held with the Union Home Ministry to ensure Mr Wangchuk’s free movement. On October 1, when Mr Hanifa reached the Singhu border to pick up protestors from Kargil, he was also detained by the police for a day.
Prashant Bhushan said during the hearing, that he is not completely free. They are not allowing Sonam Wangchuk to meet his other colleagues. They have been kept in different places. Wangchuk was taken to Ladakh Bhawan, while others were kept in Ambedkar Bhawan. There are still some restrictions. Sonam Wangchuk be produced in the court.”
Mehta, however, strongly objected and said that the activists, including Wangchuk, had been released as per his direction. The Solicitor General responded by challenging Bhushan’s claim, “If Prashant Bhushan has other information, he should file an affidavit and disclose the source of his information.”
The court recorded the information but acknowledged that restrictions on Sonam Wangchuk’s movements were still in place despite his release from detention, indicating ongoing concerns about his safety and freedom.
