Union Home Ministry orders judicial probe into Leh violence

The Union Home Ministry has ordered a judicial probe into the September 24 violence in Ladakh’s Leh in which four people were killed and nearly 100 injured .

Former Supreme Court judge Justice B. S. Chauhan will conduct an "impartial inquiry" into Leh violence, an official release said.

“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. In order to ensure an impartial inquiry the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, today, notified a Judicial Inquiry to be conducted by Hon’ble Dr. Justice B. S. Chauhan (Former Judge, Hon’ble Supreme Court of India) into the circumstances leading to the serious law and order situation, the police action and the resultant unfortunate death of the four individuals,” the release said.

It said the government "has always been open for dialogues at any time".

“We would continue to welcome the discussion with Apex Body Leh (ABL) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) through the High Powered Committee on Ladakh or any such platform,” the release said.

It added, “We are confident that continuous dialogue would yield the desired results in near future. The government stands committed to the aspiration of the people of Ladakh."

Clashes between security forces and protesters demanding Ladakh’s statehood and Sixth Schedule status erupted on September 24. Two days later, the police arrested climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA) for allegedly inciting the violence and shifted him to Jodhpur jail in Rajasthan.