DB to consider matter regarding Stampede at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan on Feb 19

19/12/2024

JAMMU, Dec 18: In the much publicized Public Interest Litigation (PIL No. 12/2022) and the Contempt Petition (CCP(D) No. 22/2024) seeking disclosure of the 3-Member Enquiry Report submitted by the said Committee constituted by the Govt. of J&K vide Govt Order No. 01-JK(GAD) of 2022 dated 01-01-2022, which was assigned the task to examine in detail the causes/reasons behind the unfortunate stampede at the Bhawan of Mata Vaishno Devi, Katra in the intervening night of 31.12.2021/01.01.2022 which resulted in the death of 12 pilgrims and injuries to several devotees, the Division Bench of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh at Jammu comprising Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice Rajesh Sekhri, has directed the consideration of the matter immediately after the ensuing winter vacations on February 19th, 2025.
When the Contempt petition filed by the Petitioner-Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed alleging non-compliance of the Judgement dated April 26, 2023 passed in WP(C) PIL No.12/2022 came up for hearing before a Division Bench of High Court of J&K and Ladakh (at Jammu) headed by Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan, Advocate H.A. Siddiqui with Advocate Supriya Chouhan appearing for the petitioner submitted that the Response/Affidavit to statement of facts filed by GAD Secretary already stands filed on the last date of hearing and has to be considered by the Hon'ble Court.
The petitioner in his Affidavit has submitted that in terms of Paras 16 and 17 of the Judgment passed by the Division Bench on April 26th, 2023, the GAD has to take action strictly in terms of the three Members Enquiry Report so constituted with a view to fix the responsibility for the lapses/causes/reasons which resulted in the stampede at Bhawan of Mata Vaishno Devi and it is only on the assurance given by the Counsel for the U.T. that appropriate action as warranted in terms of the report will be taken, this Hon'ble Court closed the PIL with a direction to the Government of J&K and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board to take effective steps in furtherance of the decision/recommendations of the Committee but the statement of facts filed by the GAD and CEO Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Katra is silent on this aspect as to what action was taken against those responsible in dereliction of their duties which resulted in the unfortunate mishap and loss of precious lives.
In the affidavit, the petitioner has further submitted that the report of the Committee was not placed before the Court but it is significantly important to be seen by this Court so that it can be ascertained whether the GAD has acted in furtherance of the Report as assured before this Court by the Counsel for U.T. and for this reason the GAD is required to be directed to place before this Court the relevant record including 3-Members Enquiry Report to show the compliance of the directions contained in Paras 16 & 17 of the Judgment dated April 26th, 2023.
Lastly the petitioner in his Affidavit has submitted that the Government of J&K and Authorities of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Katra are trying to shield the erring Officers/Officials who remained negligent in the performance of their duties which lead to the unfortunate stampede and the statement of facts filed by GAD do not inspire confidence and it is totally silent with regard to the steps taken to implement the report of the three Members Enquiry Committee. Senior AAG S. S. Nanda appeared for UT Administration.

Photo Gallery

BSE Sensex

NSE Nifty