Leh: The NHRC has issued a notice to the Leh civil administration and its police authorities over charges that a minor Ladakhi girl belonging to a tribal Buddhist community who had gone missing from her home late December, was subsequently “found in Srinagar with a Muslim boy”, according to the proceedings of the case. Presently, the girl is under the supervision of a Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and is suffering from “mental trauma”, the proceedings dated January 2 said.
The complainant in this case pertaining to Leh is Sagar Shakyaputra Bhante, from Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, it said. Bhante is a public figure and Chairman at The Buddhabhoomi Dhammadoot Sangha, his profile on Facebook says. “The complainant alleged that on December 26, a minor Khalatse Ladakhi girl belonging to a tribal Buddhist community went missing from her home. The complainant further alleged that her family immediately lodged a missing complaint with the PS Khalatse, FIR No.39/2025 dated 28.12.2025, u/s 137(2) BNS and under the POCSO Act. During the police investigation, the said girl was found in Srinagar with a Muslim boy”, it said.
“Presently, the girl is under the supervision of CWC and she is now in mental trauma”, the NHRC proceedings said. “Presently, the girl is under the supervision of CWC, and she is now in mental trauma”, the NHRC note says. The complainant had sought the intervention of the commission and requested an “impartial investigation into the role of other individuals involved in the crime, justice for the victim girl and her family, protection, counselling with medical, psychological and legal assistance.
Complainant’s accusation
“Due to social pressure at the local level, this sensitive case is not receiving the seriousness it warrants. A detailed action-taken report should be sought from the police and the administration, in accordance with the law”, it said. The allegations made in the complaint prima facie seem to be violations of the human rights of the victim, the rights panel said. A bench of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), presided by its member Priyank Kanoongo, has taken cognisance under section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
“The Registry is directed to issue a notice to the DC (Deputy Commissioner), Leh and the SSP/DIG, Leh, Ladakh, with directions to get the allegations made in the complaint inquired into and to submit an action taken report within seven days for perusal of the Commission”, it adds.
JTN statement
Earlier, on December 30, former Leh MP JT Namgyal had said: I was deeply disturbed by today’s media briefing of the SSP Leh regarding the registration of an FIR under the POCSO Act in a case involving the kidnapping of a minor girl from Leh district by a man from Kargil District. Crimes against children as well as women are extremely serious and a matter of grave concern for all of us. I strongly condemn this incident and appreciate the Ladakh Police for their prompt and decisive action.
Such repeated incidents raise urgent and troubling questions about our social fabric. Despite awareness and laws, why are we still witnessing crimes against women & minors and why have we not been able to put a complete stop to them? This calls for deep introspection and collective action. I appeal to all concerned authorities, as well as religious and social organisations, to take moral responsibility and actively work towards educating and sensitising our communities. Only through shared accountability, awareness and vigilance can we prevent such heinous crimes. Child safety must always come first and protecting our children is a responsibility we all share.
It bears mention here that the SSP of Leh had given details regarding the abduction of the young tribal girl from Leh by a man from Kargil and sought to play down the communal angle. In briefing to the media, he had stressed that it was an individual case and giving it a communal colour was not the correct thing to do. He had also said that disclosing the identity of the minor girl was punishable under law. The police officer had also warned that irresponsible comments on social media and rumour mongering were also punishable and cautioned people to desist from this.
