Sonam Wangchuk released, prohibitory orders withdrawn, Solicitor General tells Delhi HC

“The order which was passed on September 30 now stands withdrawn in view of changed circumstances as they exist now.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,” the Solicitor General said

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta on Thursday (October 3, 2024) informed the Delhi High Court that climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and his associates have been released from detention. He told the court that the Delhi Police has withdrawn an order prohibiting assembly and protests in various parts of Delhi.

Mr. Mehta made the statement before a Bench of Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, which was hearing petitions seeking the release of Mr. Wangchuk and his associates.

“The (prohibitory) order which was passed on September 30 now stands withdrawn in view of changed circumstances as they exist now.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,” the Solicitor General said.

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

The court closed the proceedings on the petitions filed by social activist Azad, who claims to have worked closely with Mr. Wangchuk, and lawyer Mustafa Haji, the legal advisor to the Leh Apex Body.

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

During the hearing, advocate Prashant Bhushan, who appeared for a lawyer from Bilaspur and claimed to be part of the march, said his client has been speaking to some of the people who were earlier detained by Delhi Police. “Some of these are saying that we are not being even allowed to go out of Ambedkar Bhawan to buy medicine or food. If they are saying, these people are set free, why are they not allowed to move freely,” Mr. Bhushan said. “According to our information, there are still some restrictions on their movement,” he said.

When Mr. Bhushan said, “Let, Mr. Sonam Wangchuk be produced in this court. He is not fully free,” the court responded, “He is set free. Why should we call someone (who has been released)?”

To this Mr. Mehta said, “This is someone who wants to keep the pot boiling. Let us not fall prey to this”.

Mr. Bhushan said he would file an affidavit in support of his claim and urged the court to defer the hearing till Friday. “In case the statement is false, we will take action,” the court told Mr. Bhushan, and asked the police to file an affidavit on the release while putting the case for hearing on Friday.

Published - October 03, 2024 04:55 pm IST