Two days after a much-publicised meeting between veteran Ladakhi leader and former Lok Sabha member Thupstan Chhewang; former Chairman-cum-Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, Tashi Gyalson, and Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, authorities in the Union Territory have announced the withdrawal of 24 FIRs registered in connection with the September 24, 2025, violence in Leh.
Chief Secretary, Ladakh, Ashish Kundra made the announcement while interacting with media personnel.
The Chief Secretary revealed that 87 persons had been booked, while nine had been charge-sheeted in connection with the unprecedented violence in Leh on September 24, 2025. The cases of those charge-sheeted are pending before the courts.
"We have discussed the issue with the lieutenant governor of Ladakh. There are 25 cases where there is no major evidence. Their FIRs will be withdrawn, and a closure report will be filed in the court," he said, adding that in the remaining cases, the police chief would be urged to examine the matter and take an appropriate decision.
Ladakhi leaders sought withdrawal of cases
On Wednesday, veteran Ladakhi leaders Thupstan Chhewang and Tashi Gyalson met Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and urged the administration to withdraw cases registered against youth in connection with the September 24, 2025, violence in Leh. They also sought financial assistance for affected families, early submission of the inquiry report and an early meeting with the centre on the broader Ladakh issue.
During the meeting, the two leaders apprised the lieutenant governor of several important issues concerning the region, including the need for goodwill measures in connection with the events of September 24.
Both leaders requested a sympathetic review and phased withdrawal of cases registered against those allegedly involved in the September 24 incident. They also sought the early conclusion and submission of the Judicial Committee's report.
Both Chhewang and Gyalson are members of the Ministry of Home Affairs' High-Powered Committee on the Ladakh issue. Chhewang, who has left the BJP, has also served as chairman of the Leh Apex Body, which has been engaged in dialogue with the central government for several years.
During the meeting, the Ladakhi leaders also highlighted the hardships faced by the families of those killed or injured during the September 24 violence and sought financial compensation and other forms of assistance.
The leaders also sought the early submission of the report of the Justice B.S. Chauhan Committee, which was constituted to enquire into the Leh violence.
The September 24, 2025, incident witnessed violent clashes between security forces and protesters, who were primarily demanding constitutional safeguards for the Union Territory. The clashes reportedly resulted in the deaths of four civilians and injuries to nearly 90 others.
In connection with the violence, an FIR has already been registered at Police Station Leh (FIR No. 144/2025) under multiple stringent sections of the newly enacted Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The sections cover a range of serious offences, including abetment, attempt to commit offences, various forms of grievous hurt, attempt to commit suicide, rioting, and obstruction of public servants, among others.
It may be mentioned that a Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) team from New Delhi, along with the Chief Secretary, Ladakh, held a meeting with representatives of the Leh Apex Body (LAB), Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) and other senior leaders of the Union Territory in Leh on Wednesday. During the meeting, issues pertaining to the proposed UT-level elected body with financial, executive and legislative powers were raised, but no major headway was made.
