Katra Court Records Action-Taken Report In Plea Seeking FIR Over Death Of 35 Pilgrims During Vaishno Devi Yatra

The complaint had been filed by Rohit Bali, resident of Talab Tillo, Jammu, who had sought a direction to the SSP Reasi and SHO P/S Bhawan to register an FIR against the Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) and other officers/officials who were in charge of yatra management on the date of the incident. In his complaint he had stated that despite continuous advisories and red alerts issued by the Meteorological Department, including the latest advisory dated 25 August 2025, the yatra was not suspended, leading to the unfortunate landslide at Adhkuwari in which 35 pilgrims lost their lives.

On October 16, 2025, the Sub Judge had directed the SHO of Police Station Bhawan to conduct an inquiry and submit an Action Taken Report (ATR). During the subsequent hearing on October 30, 2025, the SHO, appearing in person, requested a four-week extension to complete the probe. The court, exercising caution, granted three weeks instead, setting the next date for November 20, 2025, to review the findings.

The two-page ATR, now submitted and formally recorded by the court, outlines the police's initial steps following the receipt of Bali's application. Upon learning of the Adhkuwari tragedy where pilgrims were caught in a deadly mudslide triggered by relentless downpours the SHO promptly logged the complaint in the station's General Diary and Special Report Register (as per Annexure-A). A general diary entry was also made to document the proceedings.

The report details how the SHO initiated a thorough examination, including interviews with several eyewitnesses at the incident site near Banganga and Darshan Dwara. Statements from those present during the chaos were meticulously recorded and annexed to the file. To deepen the investigation, the SHO had also forwarded a formal letter to the Joint CEO of SMVDSB, seeking specific details on the shrine's preparedness for the 27.5% surge in pilgrim footfall that day. In response, the shrine board provided records of their coordination with the Superintendent of Police (SP) Reasi and other departments.

Further, the ATR reveals that the SHO collected statements from shrine board officials, who maintained that protocols for natural disasters were followed to the letter. They emphasized that all available precautionary measures such as real-time weather monitoring and crowd management alerts were implemented in the limited time before the landslide struck. Eyewitness accounts corroborated that the event unfolded as an unforeseen act of nature, with no immediate signs of human error in on-ground response.

Crucially, the document states that, based on the inquiry conducted thus far, no cognizable offense such as criminal negligence under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code has been substantiated against the shrine board or its officers. The ongoing probe has uncovered no direct evidence linking the authorities to the tragedy. However, it notes that a comprehensive three-member committee, appointed by the Lieutenant Governor and Chairman of the SMVDSB on August 29, 2025, is still deliberating. The final report from this panel, expected to provide deeper insights into systemic vulnerabilities, remains pending and could influence future legal steps, the report reads.

After perusing the ATR, the Court took the same on record and directed the matter to be listed for arguments on 06 December 2025.