 Sandeep Bhat
Early Times Report
Jammu, Nov 28: Responding to persistent appeals from the agitating Ladakhi groups, the Judicial Inquiry Commission probing the September 24 Leh violence has extended the deadline for submission of statements and evidence by ten days. The earlier deadline, which expired today, has now been pushed to December 8, allowing more time for individuals to come forward.
The extension follows a formal request from the Leh Apex Body (LAB), which wrote to Justice (Retd.) Dr. B.S. Chauhan, former Supreme Court judge and Chairperson of the Judicial Inquiry Committee, seeking additional time for public participation in the probe.
In its letter dated November 27, the LAB noted that although the inquiry is progressing and people are submitting statements, many more individuals still wish to record their accounts and present evidence.
“The judicial inquiry is ongoing, and people are giving their statements. The last date for the submission of the evidence is November 28,” the LAB stated.
The body urged the Commission to consider a ten-day extension “in the interest of judicial inquiry as well as justice and fair play,” expressing confidence that their “genuine request” would be accepted.
“There are still many people who want to give their statements and submit evidence before the Commission. Therefore, you are requested to kindly extend the date for another ten days, tentatively,” the letter read.
As reported previously, the Ministry of Home Affairs–appointed Judicial Commission had completed its preliminary assessment between October 25 and 28 and subsequently fixed November 28 as the initial deadline for evidence submission.
The Commission had issued a public notice—circulated in both English and Bhoti languages—urging citizens to share eyewitness testimonies, photos, videos, documents, or any material that could help reconstruct the sequence of events that led to the deadly clashes. People were asked to submit evidence at the ADR Centre, Melongthang, after which the Commission was expected to begin formal hearings.
The unprecedented clashes on September 24 had left four people dead and more than 90 injured, prompting the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to set up the high-level inquiry panel. Officials said the Commission had initially provided a 30-day window for submissions to ensure a comprehensive and transparent investigation.
Justice Chauhan, while speaking to the media earlier in Leh, assured that the Commission would grant adequate time to every stakeholder to present relevant material.
“The investigation will remain open and impartial. Every voice will be heard,” he said, adding that the aim was to uncover the truth through a fair and methodical process.
With the extension now in place, residents and witnesses have until December 8 to submit any remaining evidence, which will play a crucial role in shaping the final findings of the Judicial Inquiry Commission. |
