‘Matter fixed for Arguments’
Diplomat Correspondent
Jammu: DD, In the much publicized complaint seeking appropriate directions to the SSP Reasi and SHO Police Station Bhawan to register an FIR against the Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Katra and other officers/officials of the Board.
These officers, including CEO / officials were at the helm of affairs on the date of incident i.e. August 26, 2025 when 35 innocent pilgrims lost their precious lives at Adhkuwari, Katra enroute to Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine; the SHO Police Station Bhawan has filed an Action Taken Report (ATR) pursuant to the directions of the Sub Judge (JMIC), Katra issued on 16.10.2025.
The SHO Police Station Bhawan on the last date of hearing i.e. 30.10.2025 had sought 04 weeks time to submit the ATR and the court had reluctantly granted 03 weeks time to the SHO Police Station Bhawan, who was present in-person and the matter had been directed to come up on 20.11.2025 for filing of ATR.
The complaint seeking registration of FIR in the unfortunate death of 35 pilgrims has been filed by Rohit Bali- a resident of Talab Tillo, Jammu who has claimed that the 35 pilgrims died because of the criminal negligence of CEO SMVDSB, Katra and other officers/officials of the Shrine Board who miserably failed to perform their lawful duties as there were Advisories/Red Alerts already issued by Meteorological Department and despite latest Advisory dated 25.08.2025, the yatra was not suspended which resulted in the unfortunate death of 35 innocent pilgrims because of a landslide at Adhkuwari enroute to Bhawan of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine.
In the Action Taken Report (ATR), it has been divulged that as per the enquiry conducted so far, no cognizable offence has been established against the Authority and the ongoing enquiry has not revealed any evidence implicating the Authority in the commission of any such offence. The ATR further says, that the Final Report of 03 Member Committee constituted by Lieutenant Governor/Chairman, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board on 29 August, 2025 regarding the same incident is still awaited.
The court of Sub-Judge (Judicial Magistrate 1st Class), Katra Sidhant Vaid took on record the ATR and has fixed the matter for arguments on the next date of hearing i.e. 06.12.2025.
Advocate Vishal Gupta appeared on behalf of the complainant in the said matter.DD
