Leh violence probe: MHA appoints Ladakh officer to assist Justice Chauhan

Kargil, Oct 29: In a significant move aimed at ensuring local participation in the ongoing investigation, the Centre has included a Ladakhi officer in the judicial commission probing the September 24 violence in Leh that claimed four lives.

The Department of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh Affairs under the Ministry of Home Affairs issued an official order on October 28, amending the composition of the judicial inquiry committee earlier constituted to probe the incident.

According to the order, Rigzin Spalgon, Additional Secretary in the administration of the Union Territory of Ladakh, has been appointed to assist Dr Justice B S Chauhan, former Supreme Court Judge, as Joint Secretary for conducting the judicial inquiry.

Justice Chauhan-led team invited the public to submit statements and evidence related to the incident.

Meanwhile, in a public notice issued, Judicial Secretary Mohan Singh Parihar (retired District & Sessions Judge) invited individuals possessing information related to the incident to submit statements to the commission, on or before November 28, 2025.

Violence broke out in Leh district on September 24, when security forces allegedly opened fire on protesters demanding Sixth Schedule status and statehood for Ladakh, leaving four people dead and over 100 injured. Authorities subsequently imposed curfew-like restrictions, suspended mobile Internet services, and arrested more than 70 people, including climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was booked under the National Security Act (NSA).