Ladakh Case Withdrawals
Ladakh Drops Criminal Cases Against 20 People Following Last Year's Leh Violence
Anonymous
Key Points
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The 20 cases represent only part of the broader legal action: 87 people were booked after the Leh violence, according to The Indian Express.
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The Indian Express reported that the four civilians were killed in police firing after the protests turned violent, adding detail to the circumstances of the deaths.
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The decision came amid wider negotiations in which the Centre had proposed a constitutional provision, Article 371(K), to provide additional protections for Ladakh.
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The cases were identified as FIR No. 144/2005, registered at Leh police station under Section 360 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, a procedural detail not included in the summary.
Ladakh's Lieutenant Governor has approved the withdrawal of criminal cases against 20 people accused in connection with September 2025 violence in Leh that killed four people. IBTimes reported the decision prioritizes peace and social harmony over prolonged litigation. The move comes as Hindustan Times noted that the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance had demanded case withdrawals for all those charged in the incident.
The cases represent a partial withdrawal — The Indian Express reported that 87 people were booked after the violence erupted during protests demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule protections for Ladakh. The announcement coincided with the first anniversary of the violence and a symbolic march led by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who called for September 24 to be observed as Shaheed Diwas.
Four Deaths Sparked Leh Protests in September
The violence erupted on September 24, 2025, during demonstrations in Leh seeking statehood status and constitutional protections for Ladakh. The Indian Express reported that four civilians were killed in police firing after the protests turned violent. Hindustan Times noted that over 80 people were injured in the clashes that prompted a judicial inquiry into the incident.
Partial Case Withdrawal Follows Police Recommendation
The Ladakh Police reviewed the cases and recommended closure reports, leading to the Lieutenant Governor's approval to drop charges against 20 accused. Telegraph India reported that the decision comes before the anniversary of the September 24 incident. The withdrawal prioritizes healing and reconciliation rather than extending legal proceedings, according to the administration's statement.
However, The Indian Express indicated that 87 people remain under investigation or charged from the broader violence. The Lieutenant Governor's decision addresses only a portion of those cases, suggesting continued legal action against others involved in the September unrest.
Negotiations Include Constitutional Protections
The case withdrawal comes amid wider negotiations between Ladakh's regional groups and the Centre. Representatives from the Kargil Democratic Alliance and Leh Apex Body met with Home Ministry officials to discuss the region's demands. Tribune India reported that climate activist Sonam Wangchuk led a symbolic march marking the anniversary while calling for September 24 to be observed as Shaheed Diwas.
The Centre had proposed Article 371(K), a constitutional provision designed to provide additional protections and autonomy for Ladakh. These negotiations form part of broader efforts to address grievances that sparked the September protests and provide the region with greater political and constitutional safeguards.
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