Former Supreme Court Justice BS Chauhan has been appointed to lead a judicial inquiry into the deadly Leh police action amid protests demanding Ladakh’s statehood and Sixth Schedule status. The probe aims to ensure accountability and restore public trust.
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Ladakh: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has appointed former Supreme Court Justice BS Chauhan to investigate the recent police action in Leh that left four people dead and many injured. The move comes after local political and religious groups demanded an impartial inquiry before resuming talks with the central government.
The Leh Incident
The unrest in Leh began in September, triggered by demands for Union Territory statehood and Sixth Schedule protection for Ladakh. Protests escalated, resulting in violent police action. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and other leaders of the agitation were detained shortly afterward.
Local political and religious bodies had insisted on a judicial probe to ensure accountability, making it a key condition for restarting dialogue with the government.
Who is Justice BS Chauhan?
Justice Chauhan has a long judicial career. He served on the Supreme Court from 2009 to 2014, and before that, he was Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court and a judge in both the Allahabad and Rajasthan High Courts. After retirement, he led the Law Commission (2016–2018) and also headed the commission that investigated the police encounter of gangster Vikas Dubey in Uttar Pradesh. His extensive experience makes him a trusted choice for sensitive inquiries like the one in Leh.
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The MHA announced that Justice Chauhan will be assisted by retired District & Sessions Judge Mohan Singh Parihar as Judicial Secretary and IAS officer Tushar Anand as Administrative Secretary. The inquiry will look into the police response, the circumstances leading to the law and order breakdown, and the deaths of the four individuals.
Alongside the inquiry, the government has reiterated its willingness to engage in talks with Ladakh’s representatives. In a statement, the MHA said:
“We remain open to discussions with Apex Body Leh (ABL) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) through the High Powered Committee on Ladakh or any such platform. We are confident that continuous dialogue will yield positive outcomes. The Government is committed to the aspirations of the people of Ladakh.”
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Click Here to Read Previous Reports on Ladakh’s Statehood Movement
