Sandeep Bhat
Early Times Report
Jammu, Oct 17: A day after agitating groups in Ladakh announced plans to resume their stir with peaceful silent marches and a three-hour blackout on Saturday, the Union Government on Friday ordered a judicial inquiry into the September 24 Leh violence that resulted in police action and the death of four individuals.
The judicial probe, one of the key demands of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), is expected to pave the way for resumption of the stalled dialogue process between the Centre and Ladakh’s leadership.
According to an official handout, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has notified a judicial inquiry to be conducted by Dr. Justice B. S. Chauhan, former Judge of the Supreme Court of India, to examine the circumstances leading to the serious law and order situation, the police response, and the resultant deaths.
“On 24.09.2025, a serious law and order situation was created in Leh town, resulting in police action leading to the unfortunate death of four individuals,” the MHA statement said.
“In order to ensure an impartial inquiry, the Ministry of Home Affairs has notified a judicial inquiry to be conducted by Dr. Justice B. S. Chauhan (Former Judge, Supreme Court of India) into the circumstances leading to the incident, the police action, and the resultant unfortunate deaths,” it added.
The MHA reiterated that the Government remains open to dialogue with all stakeholders.
“We continue to welcome discussions with the Apex Body Leh (ABL) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) through the High Powered Committee on Ladakh or any other suitable platform. The Government is confident that continuous dialogue will yield the desired results in the near future and remains committed to addressing the aspirations of the people of Ladakh,” the statement said.
According to a notification issued by the Department of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh Affairs (No.12011/09/2025-I), a case under FIR No. 144/2025 has already been registered at Police Station Leh under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including Sections 189, 191(2), 191(3), 190, 115(2), 118(1), 118(2), 326, 324, 326(c), 326(f), 326(g), 309, 109, 117(2), 125, 121(1), and 61(2).
The notification underscores the need for a thorough and impartial inquiry into the events that led to the escalation of violence and the subsequent police action.
The inquiry commission headed by Justice Chauhan will be assisted by Mohan Singh Parihar, retired District and Sessions Judge, as Judicial Secretary, and Tushar Anand as Administrative Secretary. |
