Centre appoints former Supreme Court Judge B.S. Chauhan to head judicial inquiry into Leh violence
New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has appointed former Supreme Court judge Justice B.S. Chauhan to conduct a judicial inquiry into the violent incidents that erupted in Leh on September 24, 2025. The violence, which occurred during protests demanding statehood for Ladakh, resulted in the deaths of four individuals.
According to the order issued by the Department of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh Affairs on October 17, the inquiry will examine the events leading to the breakdown of law and order, the subsequent police action, and the circumstances surrounding the fatalities.
An FIR (No. 144/2025) has already been registered at the Leh Police Station under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, including Sections 189, 191, 190, 115, 118, 326, 324, 309, 109, 117, 125, and 121.
The notification emphasized that it was “imperative to conduct an inquiry into the said incident by a Retired Judge of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India.” Accordingly, Justice Chauhan has been tasked with leading the probe.
Justice Chauhan will be assisted by Mohan Singh Parihar, a 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 full administrative and logistical support to ensure the smooth conduct of the judicial inquiry.
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Attacks on Christians contradict PM's message of harmony, visit to church: Gehlot
Jaipur (PTI): Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday expressed concern over the reported attacks and disruptions in prayer gatherings of the Christian community in different parts of the country, saying such incidents were "worrying and condemnable".
In a post on X, Gehlot said that while the Prime Minister Narendra Modi was visiting a church and giving a message of peace and harmony, news of attacks on members of the Christian community from various regions reflected a serious contradiction.
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"Symbolic gestures would not be enough, and strict legal action was required against those spreading hatred," the senior Congress leader said.
He added that Indian culture has always upheld the spirit of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam", where every citizen has full freedom to practise their faith.
Gehlot urged the Centre and state governments to uphold the rule of law and ensure that no citizen is forced to celebrate their festival under fear.
