New Delhi: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk is in stable health, the Indian government submitted during proceedings in the Supreme Court of India on Wednesday (February 11). Wangchuk’s detention has been challenged through a habeas corpus petition, filed by filed by his wife, Dr Gitanjali J. Angmo. She has sought his release on grounds that his detention is unlawful and arbitrary under the constitution and for medical reasons.The Union informed a bench comprising Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice P.B. Varale that Wangchuk was “fit, hale and hearty” and that there was no medical reason to release him from detention. Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta stated that the activist had undergone 28 examinations since his detention as per the Jail Manual, and that there was nothing alarming in his health.Minor issues, including digestive discomfort, were noted but have been addressed and do not constitute a serious concern, the Solicitor General said. Mehta also said that the Union government gave utmost consideration to the Supreme Court’s request to review the detention of health grounds, but the court’s request could not be processed, LiveLaw reported.At a previous hearing on Fenruary 4, a bench of justices Kumar and Varale had noted that Wangchuk was not in good health and the Union must consider whether his further detention was required. It was submitted on Wangchuk’s behalf at the time that he was suffering from serious digestive issues and needed the attention of a medical specialist. The court had then asked Additional Solicitor General K.M. Nataraj at the time if the Union could rethink whether Wangchuk’s preventive detention needed to be continued, LiveLaw reported.Wangchuk was detained on September 26, 2025 under the National Security Act (NSA) after protests in Leh, Ladakh over demands for statehood and constitutional safeguards turned violent. Four people were killed and dozens were injured during clashes between protesters and security forces. Wangchuk is known internationally for his innovative work in education and climate change campaigns. His detention has drawn attention from human rights organisations worldwide, who have called for a review of the circumstances leading to his arrest.A plea seeking his release (he was detained and taken to Jaipur, Rajasthan, from Ladakh), has been heard by the top court over several hearings since late October 2025, when it first issued notices to the Ladakh administration and the Union government on Angmo’s plea, Economic Times has reported. The ongoing proceedings are in response to the same habeas corpus petition, filed on October 3, 2025, within a week of the protests in Ladakh and Wangchuk’s detention.Government representatives argued in court Wednesday that Wangchuk’s health does not warrant special treatment and that the reasons for his detention were still valid. They urged the court not to consider health grounds for his early release.Wangchuk’s legal team, however, had sought his release citing potential risks to his health due to confinement and prior medical conditions. They emphasised that preventive detention should not compromise a detainee’s well-being, and that access to appropriate medical care must be guaranteed. The Supreme Court heard both sides, but no order was issued on the petition on Wednesday.