Court seeks ATR on plea for FIR against Vaishnodevi Shrine Board officials over death of 35 pilgrims

In a significant development, Sub-Judge (JMIC) Katra, Sidhant Vaid, has directed the SSP Reasi and SHO, Police Station Bhawan (Katra) to submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) on a complaint seeking registration of an FIR against the chief executive officer (CEO) and other officials of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB).

The direction follows the massive landslide triggered by incessant rains in which 35 devotees lost their lives at Adhkuwari, Katra, on 26 August 2025, allegedly due to criminal negligence of the officials.

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The complaint, filed under Section 175(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, accuses the shrine board authorities of failing to ensure smooth and safe conduct of the yatra. The petitioner, Rohit Bali, sought registration of an FIR under Sections 105 and 106 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and other relevant provisions of law against IAS officer Sachin Kumar Vaishya, CEO of SMVDSB, and other officials allegedly responsible for the fatal mishap.

According to the complaint, on 26 August, the entire Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir was on a ‘Red Alert’ due to incessant rains, flash floods, and cloudbursts. The Meteorological Department and J&K Disaster Management Authority (JKUTDMA) had issued warnings and weather advisories a day earlier, on 25 August. Despite these alerts, the complainant alleges that the CEO and officials of the shrine board neither issued any advisory nor suspended the pilgrimage, allowing thousands of pilgrims to continue their journey to the shrine.

He maintains that this failure to act prudently led to the tragic loss of 35 lives and injuries to several others.

The petitioner has annexed copies of the weather advisories issued by the Meteorological Centre, Srinagar, and JKUTDMA, which, he contends, were ignored by the shrine authorities.

After perusing the complaint, Sub-Judge Sidhant Vaid observed that the complainant had complied with the procedure mandated under Sections 173(1) and 173(4) of the BNSS, 2023, by forwarding applications for FIR registration to the In-charge Police Post, Adhkuwari, SHO Police Station Bhawan, and subsequently to the SSP Reasi. Noting that more than six weeks had passed without any action, the court directed the police authorities to submit an Action Taken Report within two weeks.

The court order stated: “Before resorting to the provision of Section 175(4) BNSS, 2023, I deem it appropriate to call an Action Taken Report from SSP Reasi and SHO Police Station Bhawan. The matter is listed for submission of ATR on October 30, 2025.”