Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena signed off on the withdrawal of criminal cases against 20 individuals on Wednesday, effectively closing the legal chapter on the September 24, 2025, unrest in Leh. The move stems from a recommendation by the Ladakh Police after a comprehensive review of the investigations. It lands just days before the first anniversary of the clash that left four people dead and dozens injured.
Saxena invoked Section 360 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, to grant the closure. In a post on X, he framed the decision as a priority for "peace, public tranquillity, and social harmony" in the Union Territory. The administration wants to avoid protracted litigation that could deepen community fractures.
The legal relief is significant for the 20 men, who had been facing charges at the Leh police station. Their careers and personal lives had been in limbo for months. Saxena thanked Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his guidance in balancing the needs of victims' families with the broader goal of social cohesion.
Politics shadowed the legal decision. Representatives from the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) and the Leh Apex Body (LAB) met Ministry of Home Affairs officials in Leh the day before the clearance was announced. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk marked the anniversary with a symbolic padyatra in Leh, reinforcing the region's demand for statehood and Sixth Schedule protections.
The September 24 violence erupted during protests for political safeguards. The UT administration had ordered a judicial enquiry into the deaths. As Wangchuk declares September 24 a Shaheed Diwas, the withdrawal of these cases signals a shift toward reconciliation over retribution in the months ahead.