Activist Sonam Wangchuk, others released from detention, Delhi High Court told

Around 120 people from Ladakh, including Sonam Wangchuk, were allegedly detained at the Delhi border by police on Monday night while marching to the capital city.

In Short

• Sonam Wangchuk, others were detained at Delhi border
• Sonam Wangchuk led 'Delhi Chalo Padyatra' from Leh
• Prohibitory order issued by Delhi Police also withdrawn

The Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta on Thursday informed the Delhi High Court that renowned climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and his associates have been released from detention, and their movements are no longer restricted.

A bench led by Chief Justice Manmohan was overseeing the case, where the Solicitor General (SG) confirmed that the order issued by the Delhi Police Commissioner's office on September 30, which prohibited public gatherings, had also been withdrawn.

The bench was hearing petitions seeking the release of Wangchuk and his associates as well as challenging the prohibitory order.

As many as 120 people from Ladakh, including Wangchuk, were allegedly detained at the Delhi border by police earlier this week while marching to the capital to demand the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

Wangchuk was leading the march, 'Delhi Chalo Padyatra', which began from Leh a month ago.

"The (prohibitory) order which was passed on September 30 now stands withdrawn in view of changed circumstances as they exist now. So far as persons who were allegedly detained, it was not detention in that sense, but they are also out," Mehta said.

"They visited Rajghat (yesterday). They were there for about two hours. They gave a memorandum which was accepted by the Ministry of Home Affairs. They have also left," he added.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the petitioner, raised concerns during the hearing, stating that the activists had intended to stage a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar and that he had been informed they had not yet been released.

"According to our information, he is not totally free. They are not allowing Sonam Wangchuk to meet his other associates. They are kept in different places. Sonam Wangchuk has apparently been taken to Ladakh Bhawan and the others are being kept in Ambedkar Bhawan... There are still some restrictions. Let Sonam Wangchuk be produced in court," he said.

However, Mehta strongly objected, affirming that according to his instructions, the activists, including Wangchuk, had been freed.

"If Prashant Bhushan has other information, he should file an affidavit and disclose the source of his information," the Solicitor General responded, challenging Bhushan's claim.

The court, acknowledging Mehta's statement, recorded the information and proceeded to dispose of the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in the matter.