New Delhi, October 3 (IANS): In a significant development, the Delhi High Court was informed by the Centre on Thursday that climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, detained on September 30 at the Singhu border for breaching prohibitory orders, has been released by Delhi Police. A bench comprising Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela took note of the Delhi Police’s subsequent order withdrawing the prohibitory measure, initially issued on September 30. This order had restricted assemblies of five or more unauthorized persons, carrying of firearms, banners, or placards, and public picketing or protests across New Delhi’s districts and the city’s borders until October 5.
The Solicitor General, Tushar Mehta, presented the withdrawal of the September 30 order dated October 2, which prompted the High Court to dispose of pleas advocating for Wangchuk’s release alongside his supporters. The detained group, over 100 strong, consisted of individuals from Ladakh who journeyed to the national capital to press for Sixth Schedule Status for the Union Territory. This status aims to grant law-making autonomy to protect their land and cultural identity, as the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution provides special protections and autonomy to designated tribal areas.
Earlier, Solicitor General Mehta conveyed similar information to a Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud after senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy urgently mentioned a plea challenging the prohibitory orders. The plea, filed by a priest of the renowned Kalkaji temple, argued that the order would negatively impact the petitioner’s and many citizens’ rights, particularly amid the Navratri celebrations. This swift resolution underscores the tension between enforcing order and safeguarding citizens’ rights, while highlighting the activists’ ongoing struggles to secure legislative protection for Ladakh’s unique cultural and environmental landscape.
Original Story https://www.morungexpress.com/climate-activist-sonam-wangchuk-set-free-delhi-police-tell-hc
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