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| Leh violence panel set to examine evidence from Dec 10 | | | Sandeep Bhat
Early Times Report
Jammu, Dec 6: The Judicial Inquiry Commission constituted by the Union Government to probe the September 24 Leh violence will begin examining evidence submitted by individuals and various organisations from December 10, officials said on Friday.
According to reports, over two dozen people and organisations have already submitted statements, documents, and other material related to the clashes. The final deadline for submitting evidence is December 8, after the earlier cut-off of November 28 was extended to provide more time for public participation.
The extension came after 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 Commission—seeking additional time for citizens to furnish evidence.
Earlier, the Ministry of Home Affairs–appointed Commission had completed its preliminary assessment from October 25 to 28 and subsequently set November 28 as the first deadline for evidence submission.
The Commission had issued a public notice—circulated in both English and Bhoti—urging citizens to provide eyewitness accounts, photographs, videos, documents, or any material that could help reconstruct the sequence of events that led to the violent clashes in Leh. People were asked to submit the material at the ADR Centre, Melongthang, following which the Commission is set to begin formal hearings.
The unprecedented violence on September 24 left four people dead and more than 90 injured, prompting the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to constitute a high-level judicial inquiry. Officials said the initial 30-day window for submissions was intended to ensure a fair, transparent, and comprehensive investigation.
On October 27, the Union Government formally ordered a judicial probe into the incident, a move that fulfilled one of the key demands of both the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA). The inquiry is expected to help revive the stalled dialogue between Ladakh’s leadership and the Centre.
As per an official statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs has appointed Dr. Justice B.S. Chauhan, former Supreme Court Judge, to head the probe. He has been tasked with examining the circumstances that led to the law-and-order breakdown, the police response, and the resultant fatalities.
“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 said in its notification.
“To ensure an impartial inquiry, the Ministry of Home Affairs has notified a judicial probe under Dr. Justice B.S. Chauhan to examine all circumstances surrounding the incident and the resultant deaths,” it added.
The MHA also reiterated that the Union Government remains open to dialogue with all stakeholders.
Justice Chauhan is being assisted by Mohan Singh Parihar, retired District and Sessions Judge, as Judicial Secretary, and Tushar Anand as Administrative Secretary.
Speaking earlier in Leh, Justice Chauhan assured the public that the Commission would provide adequate time and opportunity to every stakeholder to present relevant material.
“The inquiry will remain open and impartial. Every voice will be heard,” he said, emphasising that the objective of the Commission is to uncover the truth through a fair and methodical process.
With the deadline now extended to December 8, residents and witnesses still have a short window to submit remaining material—evidence that will play a crucial role in shaping the final conclusions of the Judicial Inquiry Commission. |
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