Deadline ends for judicial panel to record statements in Leh violence investigation

The deadline for submitting statements before the Judicial Commission probing the September 24 violence in Leh ended on Monday, with officials reporting a substantial response from the public.

The Commission, which had extended the deadline until December 8 following a written request from the co-chairman of the Leh Apex Body, had earlier expressed concern over the low number of submissions. In late November, it urged residents to come forward with statements and evidence related to the clashes.

Tushar Anand, appointed by the Union Home Ministry as Administrative Secretary to the Commission, said the number of responses had significantly improved since the extension. “We have now received a good volume of statements compared to the initial phase,” he said.

Anand added that the Commission will begin hearings with individuals who have already recorded their statements. Although the dates are yet to be finalised, he said they will be announced shortly.

The Centre had ordered the judicial inquiry in October, agreeing to a key demand of protesting Ladakh groups. The probe is being led by retired Supreme Court judge Justice BS Chauhan. The September 24 clashes—between protesters demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh and security forces—left four people dead, including a Kargil war veteran.