New Delhi, February 12 The Centre told the Supreme Court on Thursday that climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is currently detained in Jodhpur jail in Rajasthan, was the main instigator of the violence in Leh on September 24 of last year.
Additional Solicitor General K M Nataraj, appearing for the Centre, told a bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and P B Varale that after Wangchuk's detention, the agitation and violence were brought under control.
"He was the main instigator that led to the violence in which four were killed and 60 were injured. The detention order clearly shows a connection, and there is clear evidence of careful consideration.
"After his detention, the agitation and violence were brought under control. Therefore, it is proven that the detention order is a justified order, given the circumstances," Nataraj told the bench.
The law officer submitted that all the necessary procedural requirements for Wangchuk's detention have been meticulously followed.
"All the procedural requirements under the law have been meticulously followed. Once these statutory requirements are met, there is no need to consider the subjective satisfaction of the detaining authority. Such an order can be passed based on suspicion or reasonable probability," he said.
The Supreme Court has now scheduled the matter for hearing on February 16.
The Centre had stated on Wednesday that Wangchuk has been medically examined 24 times since his detention and he is "fit, healthy, and in good condition," and there is nothing alarming.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had told the bench that the grounds on which Wangchuk's detention order was passed still stand, and it will not be possible to release him on health grounds.
The Supreme Court was hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali Angmo, seeking to declare his detention under the National Security Act (NSA), 1980, as illegal.
The NSA empowers the Centre and states to detain individuals to prevent them from acting in a manner "prejudicial to the defence of India." The maximum detention period is 12 months, although it can be revoked earlier.
Angmo said that the unfortunate events of violence in Leh on September 24 of last year cannot be attributed to the actions or statements of Wangchuk in any way.
Wangchuk himself condemned the violence through his social media handles and categorically stated that violence would lead to the failure of Ladakh's "tapasya" and peaceful pursuit of five years, Angmo added, saying it was the saddest day of his life.