Climate Activist Sonam Wangchuk's Fast Withdrawn After Discussions: Delhi Police To High Court

The Delhi Police on Tuesday informed the Delhi High Court that climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and his associates from Ladakh have withdrawn their protest and fast after discussions.

The submission was made by Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta before a division bench comprising of Justice Prathiba M Singh and Justice Amit Sharma.

“After discussions, Mr. Wangchuk has withdrawn his fast and therefore the petition may not survive,” SGI Mehta told the Court.

The Bench dismissed as withdrawn the plea seeking permission to allow Wangchuk and others to hold peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar for raising environmental awareness and demanding Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh.

“It is submitted by learned Solicitor General that after discussions, Mr. Wangchuk and the petitioner have withdrawn their prayer for conducting a protest. This is confirmed by learned counsel for the petitioner who submits that the petition is no longer pressed. The petition is dismissed as withdrawn,” the bench ordered.

The petitioner organisation had initiated the march with approximately 200 padyatris, including Wangchuk, and began the Pad Yatra from Leh to New Delhi.

The organization was aggrieved by a letter issued by the Commissioner of Delhi Police on October 05 rejecting the request to hold a peaceful demonstration at Jantar Mantar.

The plea stated that the refusal infringes upon the petitioner organization's fundamental rights to speech and peaceful assembly under Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(b) of the Constitution of India.

It added that the Delhi Police failed to provide any valid or reasonable grounds for rejecting the request for holding peaceful protest.

“The proposed demonstration is a peaceful expression of dissent aimed at highlighting significant social issues by the Petitioner organisation. The proposed anshan is aimed at raising awareness about critical societal issues and communicating grievances to the authorities. By denying permission, the respondent is effectively suppressing this fundamental right and limiting the petitioner's ability to engage in public discourse, undermining the principle of open expression,” the plea read.

Recently, the bench had disposed of three petitions against the alleged detention of Wangchuk and others. This was after the Delhi Police informed the Court that Sonam Wangchuk and his associates were released and set free.

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

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

Title: Apex Body Leh v. Government of NCT of Delhi & Anr. 

Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (Del) 1155