Institute of Legal and Management Studies

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India, appointed former Supreme Court judge Justice B.S. Chauhan to conduct a judicial inquiry into the violent incidents that occurred in Leh on September 24, 2025, which resulted in the death of four individuals. The violence broke out during protests seeking statehood for Ladakh.

According to the order issued by the MHA Department of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh Affairs on October 17, 2025, the inquiry will investigate the circumstances that led to the serious law and order situation, the subsequent police action, and the resultant deaths.

The Ministry noted that an FIR (No. 144/2025) has already been registered at Leh Police Station under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, including Sections 189, 191, 190, 115, 118, 326, 324, 309, 109, 117, 125, and 121, among others.

The notification stated that “it is imperative to conduct an inquiry into the said incident by a Retired Judge of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India.” Accordingly, Justice B.S. Chauhan, who has previously served on the Supreme Court bench, has been tasked with leading the probe.

Justice Chauhan will be assisted by Mohan Singh Parihar, Retired District and Sessions Judge, who will serve as Judicial Secretary, and Tushar Anand, IAS, who will act as Administrative Secretary.

The Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police of the Union Territory of Ladakh have been directed to extend all necessary administrative and logistical support to facilitate the conduct of the judicial inquiry.