Cases against 20 people involved in 2025 Ladakh violence withdrawn

Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Wednesday announced the withdrawal of criminal cases against 20 people booked in connection with the violence that broke out in Leh on September 24 last year. He said the decision was taken "in the larger interest of peace, public tranquillity, and social harmony in Ladakh".

Saxena said the move followed a comprehensive review, after which the Ladakh Police recommended a closure report for the 20 individuals in FIR No. 144/2005 registered at Leh police station under Section 360 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.

He said the decision would allow them to move forward with their lives and careers, and added that giving priority to justice and healing over prolonged litigation would help build a more peaceful, united and harmonious society in Ladakh.

In a post on X, the Lieutenant Governor also thanked Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his "constant guidance and sympathetic approach" in matters concerning victims and their families.

The Ladakh administration had said in August that it would file closure reports in cases lodged against certain individuals following the September 24, 2025 violence in Leh.

The announcement came a day after representatives of the Kargil Democratic Alliance and the Leh Apex Body met officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs in Leh, and a day ahead of the first anniversary of the incident.

On Wednesday, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk led a symbolic padyatra in Leh to mark the first anniversary of the September 24, 2025 violence during protests seeking statehood and Sixth Schedule safeguards for Ladakh.

The protests had turned violent, leaving four people dead and several others injured, following which the Union Territory administration ordered a judicial enquiry into the incident.

Wangchuk also announced that September 24 will be observed as Shaheed Diwas, as Ladakh marks a year since the violence in Leh.