Natural Disaster Blamed for Vaishno Devi Tragedy

A Jammu and Kashmir court dismissed the plea for a FIR against Shrine Board officials over 35 pilgrim deaths during a landslide, citing it as a natural disaster. The complaint claimed negligence despite weather warnings. However, the court found no criminal negligence, attributing the incident to natural causes.

A court in Jammu and Kashmir's Katra has ruled out criminal charges against Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board officials over a landslide that claimed 35 lives. The court maintained the incident resulted from a natural disaster, not negligence.

The plea argued for an FIR citing non-compliance with weather advisories, labeling it criminal negligence by shrine board officials. The court disagreed, dismissing this as administrative oversight rather than a criminal offense.

Sub Judge Sidhant Vaid emphasized that without evidence of gross negligence or intent, criminal liability could not be established. The pilgrimage had been intermittently stopped due to heavy rains, aligning with standard safety protocols.

(With inputs from agencies.)