The Judicial Inquiry Commission probing the September 24 violence in Leh has extended the deadline for submission of statements and evidence by 10 days, moving the cut-off to December 8, following requests from community representatives who said many witnesses had yet to come forward.

The order, issued on Friday (November 28, 2025), follows a written request submitted on November 27 by Chering Dorjay Lakruk, Co-Chairman of the Apex Body Leh. Dorjay urged the commission to extend the deadline on the grounds that “a large number of people still wish to record their statements and submit evidence,” adding that the original timeline, due to expire on November 28, did not allow sufficient opportunity for all voices to be heard.

The appeal was placed before Justice Dr. B.S. Chauhan, former Judge of the Supreme Court of India and Chairperson of the Judicial Inquiry Commission, who reviewed the request virtually. Accepting the need for broader participation, Justice Chauhan approved the 10-day extension. The decision was formalised in an order signed by Mohan Singh Parihar, retired district and sessions judge and the judicial secretary to the commission.

Advocate Mustafa Haji  said the extension was necessary because only a small number of people had submitted statements so far. “Now that the deadline has been extended, I urge people to come forward.”

Haji said. “A transparent inquiry is only possible if every affected person contributes. This is crucial to delivering justice to those who lost their lives, those who were injured, and all the detainees.”

Haji also clarified a widespread misconception: submitting evidence is not limited to eyewitnesses of the September 24 incident. People may also provide background details, context, and information about events leading up to the violence. “It’s not necessary to have been present when the shooting occurred,” he explained. “Anyone with relevant knowledge of the circumstances, tensions, or events that escalated into the violence can contribute.”

In response to concerns about intimidation, the Judicial Inquiry Commission earlier issued a public notice warning that any attempt to threaten, coerce, or influence witnesses would result in strict legal action. The commission urged individuals to confidentially report incidents of pressure or obstruction, assuring swift intervention to protect the integrity of the inquiry process.

To further encourage participation, community organisations — including the Apex Body, Bar Association, and the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) — have offered assistance to people wishing to submit their statements.

Dr. Abdul Qayum, President of Anjuman Moin-ul-Islam, called on all organisations and individuals in Ladakh to support the inquiry. “This is a crucial moment for our community,” he said. “Everyone must come forward so the truth can emerge. We need to stand together as Ladakhis.”

Meanwhile, Konchok Nurboo, spokesperson for the LBA, highlighted ongoing support measures for victims of the violence. Religious organisations have jointly launched a crowdfunding campaign to aid the injured, families of those killed, and individuals currently detained. “We have opened a separate bank account for the donations, and we assure complete transparency in all transactions,” Nurboo said.

The Apex Body has additionally requested the commission to scrutinise crucial material, including CCTV footage from the day of the incident and medical reports of the injured and deceased. These documents, community leaders believe, will play a vital role in establishing a clear and unbiased account of what transpired.

The Judicial Inquiry Commission was constituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs in October this year to investigate the circumstances that led to violence during street protests on September 24 in Leh district. The unrest resulted in the deaths of four civilians and left several others injured, sparking widespread concern and demands for an impartial probe.

With the extension now in place, community representatives hope that more people will come forward to ensure a comprehensive and transparent investigation.