October 22, 2024: In a significant development, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has officially withdrawn his plea to hold a protest in Delhi advocating for Ladakh’s inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. The Delhi police informed the Delhi High Court on Tuesday that discussions between Wangchuk and officials from the Union Home Ministry had prompted this decision.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Delhi Police, reported to the court that Wangchuk has also ended his hunger strike, leading to the conclusion that the petition may no longer be necessary. "After discussions, Mr. Wangchuk has withdrawn his fast, and now the petition may not survive," Mehta stated before the bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Amit Sharma.

Acknowledging the Solicitor General's comments, the court formally dismissed the plea submitted by the Apex Body Leh, which sought permission for Wangchuk to demonstrate at Jantar Mantar. The bench noted, “It is submitted by Solicitor General that after discussion, Mr. Wangchuk has withdrawn his prayer for conducting the protest, which is confirmed by the petitioner. The petition is dismissed as withdrawn.”

The Apex Body Leh had previously initiated the “Delhi Chalo Padyatra,” involving Wangchuk and approximately 200 participants, and had argued that the Delhi Police's refusal to grant permission for the protest was arbitrary and unjustified.