Leh, Jan 22: Ladakh Police on Wednesday registered an FIR against an unidentified individual accused of defacing public property at Fotila Pass and launched a manhunt to apprehend the person seen pasting a graffiti sticker at the high-altitude mountain pass.
The action follows the circulation of a video on social media platforms, which shows a person affixing a graffiti sticker at the strategically located pass. The clip quickly went viral, drawing criticism from the public and prompting police authorities to take immediate cognisance of the matter.
An FIR numbered 4/2026 has been lodged at Khaltse Police Station under Sections 324(1) and 324(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police have also invoked Section 3(1) of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, officials said.
Police sources stated that the incident amounts to defacement of public property and undermines efforts to preserve Ladakh’s natural and cultural landscape. “The video footage is being carefully examined, and teams have been tasked with identifying the individual involved. Legal action will follow once the accused is traced,” an official said.
Fotila Pass, which connects parts of Leh district with the Sham region, witnesses regular movement of tourists and local commuters. Acts of vandalism at such locations, officials noted, set a wrong precedent and damage the region’s image.
The police have warned that strict action will be taken against anyone found indulging in defacement or damage to public property. They have also appealed to visitors and locals to respect public spaces and help safeguard Ladakh’s fragile environment.
