The Central government told the Supreme Court that Sonam Wangchuk’s detention under the National Security Act brought protests and violence in Ladakh under control and was justified.
The Court was hearing a habeas corpus petition challenging his preventive detention following demonstrations in Leh over demands for statehood and Sixth Schedule status. The Centre argued that the detaining authority applied its mind and complied with procedural safeguards, stressing that national interest in border areas must be paramount.
It submitted that courts cannot examine sufficiency of material in preventive detention cases. The petitioner raised concerns about non-supply of certain videos.
The matter is listed for February 16.
