A court in Jammu and Kashmir has requested a report on the actions taken regarding a complaint seeking a First Information Report (FIR) against officials of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB). The complaint alleges criminal negligence in connection to a landslide on August 26 that resulted in the deaths of 34 pilgrims.

The court, presided over by Sub-Judge Sidhant Vaid in Katra, directed the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in Reasi and the Station House Officer (SHO) of Bhawan Police Station to submit an action-taken report on the applications filed by the complainant within two weeks. The matter is scheduled for a hearing on October 30, 2025.

The tragic landslide occurred at Adhkuwari on the route to the Vaishno Devi shrine, triggered by a cloudburst. In addition to the 34 fatalities, 20 people sustained injuries. Following the incident, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha formed a three-member committee on August 29 to investigate the circumstances surrounding the landslide.

The complaint, filed by Rohit Bali, requests the registration of an FIR under sections 105 (culpable homicide) and 106 (causing death by negligence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with other relevant provisions, against the SMVDSB CEO and other officials. Bali alleges that the deaths occurred due to the negligence of the board officials in performing their duties.

Specifically, the complaint alleges that despite red-alert warnings for heavy rains and flash floods issued on August 25 and 26, the CEO and other officials did not take adequate steps to halt the Vaishno Devi yatra or issue necessary advisories to pilgrims. It is argued that this failure to act prudently, despite the warnings from the Meteorological Department and the J&K Disaster Management Authority (JKUTDMA), led to the loss of life. Copies of these weather advisories have been included in the complaint.

The court noted that the complainant followed the procedures mandated by sections 173(1) and 173(4) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Sub-Judge Sidhant Vaid stated that before considering the provisions of section 175(4) of the BNSS, it was appropriate to call for an action-taken report from the SSP Reasi and SHO Bhawan Police Station. The court also clarified that under section 175(3) of the BNSS, a magistrate can order an inquiry before directing an investigation, after considering an application and submissions from the police.

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) refuted allegations of ignoring weather advisories, stating that the pilgrimage was suspended at noon on August 26, prior to the cloudburst that triggered the landslide. The board also stated that the cloudburst was unpredictable and that no such landslide had ever occurred in that area in the past.