Katra, Oct 24, KNT: In a significant development, the Sub-Judge (Judicial Magistrate 1st Class) Katra, Sidhant Vaid, has directed the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Reasi and the Station House Officer (SHO) Police Station Bhawan to file an Action Taken Report (ATR) within two weeks in connection with a complaint seeking registration of an FIR against the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and other officials over the deaths of 35 pilgrims at Adhkuwari on August 26, 2025.
The complaint, filed by Rohit Bali of Jammu, accuses Shrine Board authorities of criminal negligence for allowing the pilgrimage to continue despite red alerts and weather warnings issued by the Meteorological Department and the J&K Disaster Management Authority. The complainant alleged that no advisory was issued and the Yatra was not suspended despite life-threatening weather conditions.
Bali stated that his earlier complaints to the Bhawan Police and SSP Reasi evoked no response, forcing him to approach the court under Section 175(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.
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The Sub-Judge directed that the ATR be submitted by October 30, 2025, before any further orders are passed. [KNT]
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