In an order of far-reaching public importance, the Sub-Judge(JMIC), Katra Sidhant Vaid has directed SSP Reasi & SHO Police Station, Bhawan(Katra) to submit Action Taken Report (ATR) in a complaint filed in terms of Section 175 (3) BNSS, 2023 seeking appropriate directions to the SSP Reasi and SHO P/S, Bhawan to register an FIR against the Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Katra and other officers/officials of the Board who were at the helm of affairs on the date of incident and were responsible for smooth and safe conduct of pilgrimage but because of their criminal negligence, 35 innocent pilgrims lost their precious lives on 26.08.2025 at Adhkuwari, Katra enroute Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine.
These directions were issued by the Sub-Judge (Judicial Magistrate 1st Class), Katra Sidhant Vaid in a complaint filed by Rohit Bali S/o Sh. Darbari Lal Bali R/o Talab Tillo, Jammu seeking registration of an FIR under Sections 105 and 106 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 and other relevant provisions of law against Sachin Kumar Vaishya (IAS), Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), Katra, and other officers/officials of the Board for their alleged criminal negligence in the performance of their duties which resulted in the unfortunate death of 35 innocent pilgrims at Adhkuwari (Katra) on 26.08.2025.
The complainant has alleged that on 26.08.2025, the entire J&K was on ‘Red Alert’ due to incessant rains/flash floods and cloudbursts and moreover, Meteorological Department and J&K Disaster Management Authority (JKUTDMA) had also issued warnings/weather advisories on 25.08.2025 and despite that the CEO, SMVDSB Katra did not issue any advisory nor ordered the immediate stoppage of Yatra and because of the criminal negligence on his part and other officials of SMVDSB, Katra, the Yatra continued with the result more than 35 innocent Yatries belonging to the different parts of the country were brutally killed at Adhkuwari (enroute to Bhawan of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji) and several got injured. It is also alleged in the complaint that the innocent Yatries died because of the sheer negligence in the performance of duties by the CEO, SMVDSB and other officers/officials of the Board responsible for the safe and smooth conduct of the Holy Pilgrimage from Katra Base Camp to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan.
In the complaint, the complainant has annexed copies of the Weather Advisory/Red Alert issued by Meterogical Centre, Srinagar and JKUTDMA on 25.08.2025 and the complainant has alleged that the serious Advisory dated 25.08.2025 was ignored and Yatra was not suspended and 35 innocent Yatries lost their precious lives. The complainant has also alleged that on 28.08.2025, he made a complaint to the SHO P/S, Bhawan and Incharge Police Post, Adhkuwari but no action was taken and the complaint was also sent on the WhatsApp numbers of the SHO and Incharge Police Post, Adhkuwari but the same did not evoke any response.
The complainant has also alleged that in view of the inaction on the part of SHO P/S, Bhawan and Incharge Police Post, Adhkuwari, the complaint on 16.09.2025 made a representation to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Reasi so that the SHO P/S, Bhawan be directed to perform his statutory duty of lodging an FIR on the basis of complaint dated 28.08.2025, the contents of which prima facie disclosed commission of cognizable offences.
After perusing the contents of the complaint, the Sub-Judge (JMIC), Katra Sidhant Vaid observed that the applicant/complainant Rohit Bali has followed the mandate of Section 173 (1) and 173 (4) BNSS, 2023, as the application for registration of an FIR has been forwarded by the applicant before I/C P/P, Adhkuwari as well as SHO P/S, Bhawan on 28.08.2025 and another application has been forwarded to SSP Reasi on 16.09.2025. The Sub-Judge (JMIC), Katra further observed that more than one & half month has been passed since filing of applications and as per mandate of Section 175 (3) of BNSS, 2023, the Magistrate before passing any order of investigation as mentioned, can conduct such inquiry as he thinks necessary and submission made in this regard by the police officer. Since the applications have been moved around one & half month from the filing of this application, as such, before resorting to the provision of Section 175 (4) BNSS, 2023, “I deem it appropriate to call Action Taken Report from SSP Reasi and SHO P/S, Bhawan. As such, copy of the order alongwith this application be forwarded to SSP Reasi and SHO P/S, Bhawan through Ld. APP of this court to submit the Action Taken Report on the applications filed by the complainant before them within two weeks’ time positively. List the matter for submission of Action Taken Report on 30.10.2025.”