Pleas filed in Delhi HC against Sonam Wangchuk’s detention
Two petitions were filed in the Delhi High Court on Tuesday (October 1, 2024) against the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and several others
Two petitions were filed in the Delhi High Court on Tuesday (October 1, 2024) against the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and several others on the Delhi border. The petitions, one filed by social activist Azad, who said he works closely with Mr. Wangchuk and the Leh Apex Body, and another by lawyer Mustafa Haji, legal adviser to the body, are listed for hearing on Thursday (October 3, 2024). The petitions assailed the order of the Delhi Police prohibiting assembly of five or more “unauthorised” people as well as protests in various parts of the capital, including the border, from September 30 to October 5.
Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia to join march to Parliament on Monday Haji’s petition was mentioned for listing before the Chief Justice’s Bench by lawyer Vikram Hegde before it rose for a lunch break. Refusing to list the matter for Tuesday itself, the court agreed to list it for hearing on October 3. The two petitions seek an order directing the release of those detained as well as permission for the group to peacefully enter Delhi to raise their concerns. Around 120 people from Ladakh, including Mr. Wangchuk, have allegedly been detained on the Delhi border by the police while marching to the capital to demand sixth schedule status for Ladakh.
Also read | Sonam Wangchuk, Ladakhis detention unacceptable: Rahul Gandhi The sixth schedule pertains to the administration of tribal areas in the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram as “autonomous districts and autonomous regions”. Haji’s plea said the group of persons marching to Delhi included senior citizens and Army veterans. “They have been peacefully marching through several States without any incident,” the plea added. “The group of persons reached the Delhi border. However, they were stopped by the police on the Singhu border. Some of the persons led by Mr. Wangchuk were detained by the Respondent No. 1.
(Delhi Police),” the plea said. It has also demanded permission to the group of persons, led by Mr. Wangchuk to enter Delhi for the purpose of raising their demands peacefully. Azad’s plea said, “The petitioner with others was first stopped by Haryana Police then handed over to Delhi Police who took them into custody and detained them illegally for exercising a right which has been granted by the Constitution”.
The BriefWire