Avinash Azad
The Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMIC), Katra, Sidhant Vaid, has issued a landmark order deeking an Action Taken Report (ATR) from the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Reasi, and the SHO of Police Station Bhawan, into the tragic episode that has shaken the region, 35 innocent pilgrims lost their lives on August 26, 2025, at Adhkuwari, on the route to the revered Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine.
The directive follows a complaint accusing the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), Sachin Kumar Vaishya (IAS), and other officials of criminal negligence for ignoring official ‘Red Alert’ weather warnings issued by the Meteorological Department and J&K Disaster Management Authority (JKUTDMA) dated August 25, 2025. Despite the severe warnings of incessant rains, flash floods, and cloudbursts, the pilgrimage continued unchecked, resulting in the fatal calamity.
The complainant, Rohit Bali, alleged that no safety advisories were issued nor was the Yatra suspended, directly contributing to the loss of lives and injuries. Attempts to lodge complaints with police authorities on August 28, 2025, were met with inaction, prompting a representation to the SSP Reasi in mid-September.
After reviewing the complaint and police delay, the court emphasized adherence to the mandatory legal provisions for prompt inquiry. It ordered the police to report back on steps taken, scheduling a follow-up on October 30, 2025.
The order marks a critical move toward accountability for the worst pilgrimage tragedy in recent Jammu & Kashmir history, spotlighting systemic failures in disaster response and law enforcement.
This tragedy has sent shockwaves through the pilgrim community nationwide, with demands growing for stringent safety protocols to prevent such disasters in the future. Authorities now face intense scrutiny as the investigation unfolds.
