The Supreme Court on Wednesday adjourned to October
29 the hearing on a plea filed by Sonam Wangchuk's wife Gitanjali J Angmo
challenging the climate activist's detention after noting that she wants to
amend her petition.
A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria
noted that an affidavit filed by the jailor of Jodhpur jail has filed an
affidavit that Wangchuk's elder brother and lawyer met the detenue.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Angmo,
said they will file an application to amend the petition and challenge the
grounds of detention.
During the hearing, Sibal requested that Wangchuk be
permitted to exchange some notes with his wife.
The apex court noted the submission of Solicitor
General Tushar Mehta that he has no problem with the detainee sharing notes
with his wife.
The top court on October 6 had issues notices to the
Centre and the Union Territory of Ladakh. It, however, refused to pass any
order on her plea for providing her the grounds of detention and posted the
matter for hearing on October 14.
Wangchuk was detained under the stringent National
Security Act (NSA) on September 26, two days after violent protests demanding
statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh left four people dead and 90
injured in the Union territory. The government had accused him of inciting the
violence.
The NSA empowers the Centre and states to detain
individuals to prevent them from acting in a manner "prejudicial to the
defence of India". The maximum detention period is 12 months, though it
can be revoked earlier.
Wangchuk is lodged in Jodhpur jail in Rajasthan.