Plea In Delhi High Court Seeks Release Of Climate Activist Sonam Wangchuk, Others Detained At Singhu Border

A petition has been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking release of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and various others from Ladakh who have been detained at Singhu Border while marching towards the national capital to demand Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh.

The petition was mentioned today by Advocate Vikram Hegde before a division bench comprising Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela.

The matter is likely to be heard on October 03.

The petition seeks permission to allow the group of individuals, including senior citizens, led by Wangchuk, to enter the national capital for raising their demands peacefully.

The plea also seeks setting aside of the prohibitory order passed by the Delhi Police on September 30 prohibiting assembly of five or more unauthorized persons and dharnas in any public area from September 30 to October 05.

The petition further seeks permission for the individuals to assemble peacefully at a designated area.

The climate activist was leading the march called “Delhi Chalo Padyatra” which began from Leh last month. He was detained at Singhu Border on the night of September 30, along with 120 other people from Ladakh.

The march was organised by the Leh Apex Body (LAB). LAB, along with the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), has been leading an agitation to demand statehood for Ladakh.

They also seek Ladakh's inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India, along with a public service commission for Ladakh. Other demand includes separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil districts.

Apart from the PIL, another petition has been filed by a man who was part of the march seeking permission to allow him and some others to peacefully enter in Delhi to conduct a peaceful environmental awareness march ending at Rajghat on October 02. The plea also seeks quashing of the prohibitory order.