DB directs respondents to take effective steps in furtherance of recommendations of Committee constituted for ensuring safety of pilgrims

Stampede at Holy Shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi Ji

STATE TIMES NEWS

JAMMU: In the much-publicized Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking directions to the Govt. of J&K to make public the enquiry report of 03 members Committee constituted vide Govt. order No. 01-JK (GAD) to look into the unfortunate incident of Stampede at Bhawan of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, Katra which occurred during the intervening night of 31-12-2021 and 1-1-2022 and resulted into the death of 12 devotees and several injured, Division Bench of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court Comprising Chief Justice N. Kotishwar Singh and Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal emphasized that since the Government in General Administration Department has constituted the high-level 03 members Committee by virtue of Govt. Order No.01-JK(GAD) of 2022 dated 01.01.2022 to examine in detail, the causes/reasons behind the incident, point out the lapses and fix the responsibilities thereto and to suggest the appropriate SOPs and measures for preventing re-occurrence of such incidents in future and the said Committee was required to submit its report within a week’s time.
DB said, “We have not been apprised about the report of the said Committee. However, the learned counsel for the Union Territory assures this Court that appropriate action as warranted in terms of the report will be taken. In light of the assurance extended by the learned counsel for the Union Territory, necessary actions in the matter be taken in terms of the report submitted by the said Committee.”
DB directed the respondents to take effective steps in furtherance of the decision/recommendations of the said Committee so constituted for ensuring safety of the pilgrims and devotees.
DB after perusing the record and detailed reply affidavit filed by respondent No. 6 i.e., Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, we are of the opinion that the Shrine Board has taken all measures including short term, medium and long term with a view to streamline the yatra, beside taking all safety measures and also other measures insofar as the regular deployment of yatra officer, constitution of Joint Enforcement Team and regular announcement/video walls with a view to advise pilgrims to leave Bhawan after Darshan and playing of recorded announcements at regular intervals. Not only this, even the Board has undertaken various activities through its Administration and Operations Wing, the details of which have been referred in preceding paragraphs and the Board has completed various projects for better management and facilitation of pilgrims.
DB satisfied with regard to the steps taken by the Board to regulate the smooth conduct of the Yatra, said that no fruitful purpose would be achieved to keep the present PIL alive and we deem it appropriate to close the proceedings in the present Public Interest Litigation.
H. A. Siddiqui, Advocate and Supriya Chouhan, Advocate contested the case on behalf of Petitioner while D. C. Raina, Advocate General with Raman Sharma, AAG for R-1, Arjun Pandoh, Assisting counsel to Monika Kohli, Sr. AAG for R-2, 3,4,5,7,8 & 9 and Adarsh Sharma, Advocate for R-6 contested the case on behalf of the respondents.