Court demands accountability from Shrine Board officials in Vaishno Devi tragedy

Court seeks action report on death of 35 innocent devotees

STATE TIMES NEWS

JAMMU: In a significant judicial intervention, the Court of Sub-Judge (Judicial Magistrate First Class), Katra, Sidhant Vaid, has directed the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Reasi and the Station House Officer (SHO) Police Station Bhawan (Katra) to submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) in the case concerning the tragic death of 35 pilgrims at Adhkuwari on August 26, 2025, while en route to the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi.
The order came on a complaint filed under Section 175(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 by Rohit Bali of Jammu, who has sought registration of an FIR against Sachin Kumar Vaishya (IAS), CEO of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), and other Board officials for alleged criminal negligence.
The complainant alleged that despite a “Red Alert” issued on August 25, 2025 by the Meteorological Department and the J&K Disaster Management Authority, the Shrine Board failed to suspend the pilgrimage, which continued amidst inclement weather, leading to the death of over 35 devotees and injuries to many others.
The complaint further states that representations were made to the SHO Bhawan and the Incharge Police Post, Adhkuwari on August 28, 2025, followed by another request to the SSP Reasi on September 16, 2025, but no FIR was registered. Even messages sent on WhatsApp to the concerned officers allegedly evoked no response, prompting the complainant to approach the court.
After examining the complaint, the Sub-Judge observed that the applicant had complied with the mandate of Sections 173(1) and 173(4) of BNSS, 2023 by filing the necessary applications before the police authorities.
However, with more than six weeks passing without any action, the Magistrate directed the SSP Reasi and SHO Bhawan to submit an ATR before the court within two weeks. The case has been listed for further hearing on October 30, 2025.