The cases were withdrawn on the recommendation of Ladakh Police under Section 360 of the BNSS, with the LG citing the “larger interest of peace and public tranquility.” The administration had also announced compensation for the four people killed and those injured in the violence.
BY PC Bureau
September 23: Ladakh Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has approved the withdrawal of criminal cases against 20 individuals accused in connection with the September 24 violence in Leh last year, a move coming amid renewed mobilisation by climate activist and Leh Apex Body (LAB) leader Sonam Wangchuk and other Ladakh groups demanding withdrawal of cases arising from the unrest.
The decision comes on a day when Wangchuk led a symbolic 20-km march in Leh ahead of the first anniversary of the September 24 violence. Ladakh groups had earlier threatened fresh agitation if the Centre failed to make progress on their demands for greater political autonomy, constitutional safeguards and withdrawal of cases linked to last year’s unrest.
Wangchuk had warned earlier this month that the Ladakh groups would be “compelled to launch a very large-scale agitation” if the Centre failed to make “concrete” progress on their demands.
The planned week-long agitation from September 19 to 24 was subsequently scaled down to a symbolic march on September 23, with Wangchuk citing the weather and the prevailing political situation. He said the march would be followed by a Martyrs’ Day programme on September 24.
The Ladakh administration said the cases against the 20 individuals have been withdrawn under Section 360 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, following a recommendation from the Ladakh Police after a comprehensive review of the status of the investigations.
In the larger interest of peace, public tranquility, and social harmony in Ladakh, I have approved the withdrawal of criminal cases against 20 individuals, related to the unfortunate violence that erupted in Leh on September 24 last year.
Following a comprehensive review, the…
— LG Ladakh (@lg_ladakh) September 23, 2026
The decision relates to FIR No. 144/2005 registered at Leh police station. According to the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat, 87 people had been identified as accused in cases relating to rioting following the September 24 violence, of whom 81 were arrested and criminal proceedings initiated.
Following its review, the Ladakh Police recommended withdrawal of criminal proceedings against 20 of the accused. The proposal was sent to Saxena, who approved it in the “larger interest of peace and public tranquility”.
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The timing of the decision is significant. The withdrawal comes as Wangchuk and the LAB have renewed their campaign around the September 24 violence and are pressing the Centre on a range of demands, including greater democratic representation, constitutional safeguards and withdrawal of cases against those booked following the unrest.
Wangchuk had also criticised the compensation announced by the LG for victims of the violence. After Saxena sanctioned Rs 15 lakh for the next of kin of each of the four people who died, Wangchuk said he was not happy with the amount and wrote that his “head is down with shame” over the compensation.
The LAB and Kargil Democratic Alliance had earlier warned that failure to secure assurances from the Centre would trigger renewed protests. In September, Wangchuk said there had been “no special progress” in talks with the Union Home Ministry and warned of fresh agitation from September 19 to 24.
The administration’s decision to withdraw the 20 cases therefore comes as the government and Ladakh representatives remain engaged in negotiations over the region’s political and constitutional demands.
LG cites peace and reconciliation
Saxena said the withdrawal would enable the 20 individuals to move forward with their lives and careers.
“By prioritizing justice and healing over protracted litigation, the decision aims at fostering a more peaceful, united, and harmonious society in Ladakh,” he said.
The LG also thanked Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his “constant guidance and sympathetic approach” towards the victims and their families.
The administration said the decision was intended to promote peace, public tranquility and social harmony in Ladakh rather than prolong criminal proceedings.
Compensation for victims
The withdrawal follows another decision by Saxena earlier this month concerning victims of the September 24 violence.
On September 13, the LG sanctioned Rs 15 lakh each to the next of kin of the four people who died during the violence. An ex-gratia payment of Rs 3 lakh was approved for those who suffered major injuries and Rs 1 lakh for those with minor injuries.
Wangchuk, however, criticised the compensation as inadequate, saying he was “not happy” with the amount.
The September 24, 2025 violence had followed protests in Leh over demands concerning Ladakh’s political status and constitutional safeguards. Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act following the unrest; the Centre revoked his detention in March 2026, saying it wanted to create an environment of “peace, stability, and mutual trust” for dialogue with stakeholders.
The 20 individuals
The cases have been withdrawn against:
- Mohd Asif, son of Mohd Salim
- Shaziya Parveen, daughter of Ammanullah
- Tsetan Norboo, son of Nima Wangail
- Stanzin Morup, son of Tsewang Phunchok
- Sonam Zangpo, son of Gonbo Dorjey
- Jigmet Thinley, son of Sham Lal
- Shabir Hussain, son of Ahmad Shah
- Sonam Togdan, son of Tashi Norphel
- Urgain Namdol, son of Mepham Phuntsog
- Tsering Gyalson, son of Phunchok Wangyal
- Sonam Gurmet, son of Tashi Tsering
- Zulfikar Ali, son of Mohd Shafi
- Stanzin Chosphel, son of Tsering Stobdan
- Ishey Tsering, son of Tsewang Stanzin
- Rigzin Nurbo, son of Tundup Dorje
- Rinchen Namgyal, son of Dorjey Phunchok
- Jigmat Dorjay, son of Yountan Chosphel
- Rinchen Dadul, son of Tsering Morup
- Stanzin Namgail, son of Nawang Zotpa
- Tsewang Thirchin, son of Stanzin Namgail
The administration’s list identifies the last four individuals as deceased.
The withdrawal of the 20 cases marks a significant administrative step ahead of the September 24 anniversary of the violence, even as Ladakh’s political leadership continues to press the Centre for constitutional safeguards, greater democratic representation and further action concerning those booked after last year’s unrest.
