Even as the inquiry panel has completed its proceedings into the unprecedented violence in Leh on September 24, 2025, political leaders are mounting pressure on the lieutenant governor's administration to withdraw cases against the youth and provide compensation to the affected families.
Following the Leh Apex Committee's demand on the issue, veteran Ladakhi leader and former Lok Sabha member Thupstan Chhewang, along with former Chairman-cum-Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, Tashi Gyalson, called on Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and demanded the withdrawal of cases registered against youth in connection with the September 24 violence.
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.
They reiterated that, as recorded in the official minutes of the high-level deliberations with the Ministry of Home Affairs on May 22, there was a shared understanding that these matters could be addressed with compassion and sensitivity.
The delegation 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.
Additionally, the leaders urged the administration to announce an early date for dialogue on the broader Ladakh issue, noting that the parties had already reached an in-principle understanding on the proposed framework. They called for its early finalisation.
The Lieutenant Governor assured the delegation of his personal attention to the issues and reiterated the administration's commitment to the welfare, peace and development of the people of Ladakh.
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.
Demand for Financial Compensation
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 delegation urged the administration to adopt a humanitarian and compassionate approach while dealing with cases related to the Leh protests. It reiterated that the cases registered against those allegedly involved in the incident should be sympathetically reviewed and withdrawn in a phased manner.
The leaders also sought the early submission of the report of the Justice B.S. Chauhan Committee, which was constituted to inquire into the Leh violence.
Demand for Early Meeting on Ladakh Issue
The leaders also urged the central government to convene an early meeting to advance discussions on the various issues concerning Ladakh.
They said that an in-principle consensus had already been reached among the stakeholders on the framework for the proposed dialogue and called for the process to be taken forward without further delay.
A high-powered meeting on Ladakh issues was held in May, during which discussions were held on measures to address the aspirations of the people of the Union Territory. However, nearly three months later, no official draft has been released.
Against this backdrop, Ladakh MP Mohammad Hanifa recently met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi and urged him to take the process forward.
Judicial inquiry ordered on October 17, 2025
Nearly a month after the violence, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India, on October 17, 2025, had ordered a judicial inquiry into the serious law and order incident that occurred in Leh town on September 24, 2025, which tragically resulted in the deaths of four individuals.
The inquiry was spearheaded by Dr. Justice B. S. Chauhan, a retired Judge of the Supreme Court of India.
Dr. Justice B. S. Chauhan, who previously served as a Supreme Court Judge from 2009 to 2014, was assisted by a two-member team in conducting the probe.
Dr. Justice Chauhan was assisted by Mohan Singh Parihar, Retd. District & Sessions Judge, as Judicial Secretary, and Tushar Anand, IAS, as Administrative Secretary
Legal Backdrop and Protests
The incident on September 24, 2025 saw violent clashes between security forces and protesters, who were primarily demanding constitutional safeguards for the Union Territory. The clashes reportedly resulted in the death 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. These 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.
