Proceedings in PIL on stampede at Bhawan closed
Expresses satisfaction over measures taken to streamline yatra
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, May 2: A Division Bench of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh comprising Chief Justice N Kotiswar Singh and Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal has directed the Government as well as Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) to take effective steps in furtherance of the decision/recommendations of the committee, which was constituted to look into the unfortunate incident of stampede at Bhawan on the intervening night of December 31, 2021 and January 1, 2022, in order to ensure safety of the pilgrims and devotees.
However, the Division Bench expressed satisfaction over the measures including short term and medium/long term taken by the Shrine Board with a view to streamline the yatra as such deemed it appropriate to close the proceedings in the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) titled Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed Versus Union Territory of J&K and Others.
The petitioner—Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed was seeking appropriate directions to the respondents to make public the Inquiry Report of three members Committee constituted vide Govt Order No.01-JK(GAD) dated 01.01.2022 to look into the unfortunate incident of stampede at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji Shrine which resulted into the death of 12 devotees and injuries to several persons. Besides, the petitioner was also seeking appropriate directions against the respondents to fix accountability of the delinquent officers/officials in the matter so that such like incidents do not occur again.
The respondents submitted before the Division Bench that a meeting was convened with regard to the unfortunate incident under the chairmanship of Chairman of the Shrine Board—Lieutenant Governor and in pursuance to the directions of the Board, several safety measures were, accordingly, put in place for effective yatra management from Katra onwards up to the holy cave.
They further submitted that hallmark change in almost every sphere relating to the dignity, growth, infrastructure and development could be possible only because of the efforts and steps taken by the Board and this was precisely the reason that the Shrine Board was awarded “Best Managed Religious Destination” Award, for three consecutive periods for 2011, 2013 and 2015 besides being conferred other awards.
After hearing counsel for the parties at length, perusal of the record and detailed reply affidavit filed by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, the DB observed, “we are of the opinion that the Shrine Board has taken all measures including short term, medium and long term with a view to streamline the yatra, beside taking all safety measures and also other measures insofar as the regular deployment of Yatra Officer, constitution of Joint Enforcement Team and regular announcement/video walls with a view to advise pilgrims to leave Bhawan after Darshan and playing of recorded announcements at regular intervals”.
“Not only this, even the Board has undertaken various activities through its Administration and Operations Wing and the Board has completed various projects for better management and facilitation of pilgrims”, the DB said, adding “we are satisfied with regard to the steps taken by the Board to regulate the smooth conduct of the Yatra, therefore, no fruitful purpose would be achieved to keep the present PIL alive and we deem it appropriate to close the proceedings”.
However, the DB emphasized that since the Government in General Administration Department has constituted the high-level three members Committee by virtue of Govt Order No.01- JK(GAD) of 2022 dated 01.01.2022 to examine in detail the causes/reasons behind the incident, point out the lapses and fix the responsibilities thereto and to suggest the appropriate SOPs and measures for preventing re-occurrence of such incidents in future.
“The Committee was required to submit its report within a week’s time. We have not been apprised about the report of the Committee. However, the counsel for the Union Territory assures this court that appropriate action as warranted in terms of the report will be taken”, the DB observed, adding “in light of the assurance extended by the counsel for the Union Territory, necessary actions in the matter be taken in terms of the report submitted by the Committee”.
“We direct the respondents to take effective steps in furtherance of the decision/recommendations of the Committee for ensuring safety of the pilgrims and devotees”, read the judgment authored by Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal.
Among the short term measures which have been taken by the Shrine Board following the decisions taken in the meeting chaired by the Lieutenant Governor are registration of yatra in both online and offline mode depending upon the footfall for better management of crowd at Yatra Registration Counters; curtailment of duration of Attka Aarti both during morning and evening to spare some extra time in a day for accommodating more pilgrims for darshans; introduction of Beat System at various locations of Bhawan by deploying joint teams of Board staff, JKP and CRPF to avoid rush; identification of halting points in order to accommodate pilgrims during huge rush; extension of the track in the Bhawan etc.
Moreover, RFID technology based yatra card has been introduced for real-time monitoring of yatra and CCTV cameras have been installed at various locations for effective and real time monitoring of yatra. Even Disaster Management Task Force and fire safety measures have been strengthened and enough attention is being paid towards slope stabilization.
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