Story perspectives

Supreme Court Judge Chairs Probe After Leh Protest Deaths

By Drooid · Sep 25, 2026, 4:11 AM UTC · How we work

Center

Police Deny Massacre Claims

Four civilians were killed by police firing during a protest in Leh on September 24, 2025.
Lt. Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena announced compensation for the families and a Union Territory-level elected body being drafted by Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk alleged police used automatic weapons, calling the incident a massacre.
Ladakh Police called Wangchuk’s claims false, baseless and misleading, saying security measures were standard protocol.

Right

Activist Accuses Shah

Police firing during a protest in Leh on September 24, 2025 killed four civilians.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk accused Home Minister Amit Shah of orchestrating the violence and called for his resignation.
Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena announced cases against 20 individuals from 2025 incident were withdrawn.
Supreme Court judge B S Chauhan was appointed chair of a commission to investigate the September 24 violence.

Blindspot

Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena officially announced the withdrawal of criminal cases against 20 individuals linked to the September 24, 2025 Leh protest.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Right-leaning coverage and significantly receives less attention in Center-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

In March 1990, Jammu and Kashmir police opened fire on an Anantnag demonstration, killing four protesters and igniting nationwide outrage. Prime Minister V. P. Singh ordered a INR12 million judicial inquiry and suspended 20 officers, aiming to restore order within the government immediately. On September 24, 2025, Leh police fired, killing four civilians; Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena withdrew cases against 20 suspects and appointed Supreme Court judge B S Chauhan commission. Both incidents show Indian authorities repeatedly rely on commissions and case withdrawals, deepening public distrust and prompting Amnesty International to demand reforms.

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Police Deny Massacre Claims

Four civilians were killed by police firing during a protest in Leh on September 24, 2025.
Lt. Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena announced compensation for the families and a Union Territory-level elected body being drafted by Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk alleged police used automatic weapons, calling the incident a massacre.
Ladakh Police called Wangchuk’s claims false, baseless and misleading, saying security measures were standard protocol.

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