Jammu, Mar 14 (PTI) The Jammu and Kashmir Congress on Saturday welcomed the revocation of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's detention by the Centre, claiming that the decision was taken amid mounting pressure from his case in the Supreme Court and growing public support in Ladakh.
The party, however, raised serious questions over the circumstances that led to his detention for more than six months "without clear justification", while also pushing for the release of Aam Aadmi Party MLA Mehraj Malik, who was detained under Public Safety Act (PSA) in September last year.
The Centre on Saturday said it has revoked with immediate effect the detention of Wangchuk under the National Security Act, nearly six months after he was arrested following violent protests in Leh that left four dead.
The decision, which the Centre said was to foster peace in Ladakh, comes days after the Supreme Court on Tuesday adjourned to March 17 the hearing on a plea filed by the activist's wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, challenging his detention.
Wangchuk was detained on September 26, 2025, two days after the protests over demands for statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution rocked Leh.
"Revocation of detention of Wangchuk under pressure of his case in SC and people of Ladakh, is welcome, but who is responsible for his detention for over six months in jail, without justification?"
"LG (Lt Governor of J&K) should consider revocation of PSA of MLA Mehraj Malik also now," JKPCC chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma said in a post on X.
On February 23, the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has reserved its order on a petition contesting the detention of Malik, who is the AAP's Jammu and Kashmir unit president, and detained under the PSA on September 8 last year for allegedly disturbing public order.