Supreme Court Demands Accurate Transcripts in Sonam Wangchuk Detention Case

The Supreme Court of India on Monday pulled up the Centre over alleged discrepancies in the transcription of activist Sonam Wangchuk’s speech, questioning how a three-minute address could be expanded to seven or eight minutes. The bench observed that such variation suggested possible malice in the process. The remarks came during the hearing of a habeas corpus petition filed by Wangchuk’s wife. The court stressed the need for accuracy in official records. It underscored that the detention order was based on these transcripts.

A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and PB Varale was hearing arguments from senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who appeared for petitioner Gitanjali Angmo. Sibal argued that key phrases cited by authorities did not exist in the original speech. He questioned how the government could rely on material that was allegedly inaccurate. The court asked the Centre to produce the actual transcripts. It noted that the tabulated list filed by the government did not fully match the detention order.

Responding to the government’s submission that a department had prepared the transcripts, the bench remarked, “We are in the era of AI. Precision should be 98 per cent.” The court emphasised that there should be no variance between the speech and its transcription. It said the accuracy of the material was crucial because it formed the basis of preventive detention. The judges warned that inconsistencies could not be overlooked. They insisted on reliable documentation.

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Sibal further argued that Wangchuk’s speeches had not incited violence or public disorder. He said the activist had merely referred to promises on statehood for Ladakh and had adopted peaceful protest methods. The bench also shared a light moment, quoting a couplet about hearing words that were never spoken. Sibal responded in kind, saying the authorities had ignored what was actually said. The exchange briefly eased the tense courtroom proceedings.

The court directed authorities to produce a sealed pen drive containing recordings of Wangchuk’s speech from the jail in Jodhpur. Wangchuk is currently detained under the stringent National Security Act. He has been protesting since 2023 over climate concerns in Ladakh and demanding Sixth Schedule safeguards. Last year, he undertook a 35-day fast to press for statehood. The matter will be heard further after the recordings are examined.

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