New Delhi: Center revoked climate activist’s custody on Saturday Sonam Wangchuk The Home Ministry said, with immediate effect by exercising powers under the National Security Act.In a statement issued, the ministry said that “the government is committed to promoting an environment of peace, stability and mutual trust in Ladakh to facilitate constructive and meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders.”“In furtherance of this objective, and after due deliberations, the government has decided to revoke the detention of Shri Sonam Wangchuk with immediate effect, in exercise of the powers available under the National Security Act,” it said.

“Wangchuk has already served almost half the period of detention under the said Act,” the ministry said in announcing his immediate release.The government said it is actively engaging with stakeholders and community leaders in Ladakh to address the aspirations and concerns of the people of the region.

“The government is actively engaging with various stakeholders and community leaders in Ladakh with a view to address the aspirations and concerns of the people of the region. However, the prevailing atmosphere of bandh and protests is detrimental to the peace-loving character of the society and has adversely impacted various sections of the community including students, job seekers, businesses, tour operators and tourists and the overall economy,” the statement said.This decision of the government comes a few days after the Supreme Court adjourned till March 17 the hearing on the petition challenging the detention of Sonam Wangchuk. The bench of Justices Arvind Kumar and PB Varale made it clear that no further arguments would be heard after that date.The court had also asked the Center whether it could reconsider or review the activist’s detention, noting that “his medical condition is not that good.”During the proceedings, government officials told the court that Wangchuk’s comments had encouraged youth to organize protests similar to the movements seen in Nepal and Bangladesh, and even made reference to uprisings similar to the Arab Spring.The government argued that such statements could lead to instability in the strategically sensitive border area. Authorities also linked him to the violence in Leh on September 24 last year, in which four people were killed and over 160 were injured.Wangchuk was detained under the provisions of the National Security Act following an order issued by the District Magistrate of Leh on September 26, 2025, two days after violent protests broke out in the city demanding statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.He was taken into preventive custody under the NSA for “maintaining public order” and later shifted to Jodhpur jail.His wife Gitanjali Angmo had approached the Supreme Court challenging the detention. The court first heard the petition on October 6 last year and issued notice to the authorities.