Court dismisses plea against SMVDSB officials

Jammu, Dec 21: Sub Judge (Judicial Magistrate, First Class) Katra Sidhant Vaid has dismissed a plea seeking directions for registration of an FIR against the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) officials for their alleged “criminal negligence resulting in the death of 35 pilgrims (in a landslide incident) at Adhkuwari enroute a Vaishno Devi shrine on August 26, 2025.”

Sub Judge Katra, after perusal of the allegations levelled in the complaint, statements recorded by the police officials and their report, held that the “proximate and the immediate cause of the unfortunate incident was a natural disaster.”