Stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 12: In the much publicized Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking disclosure of enquiry report into the unfortunate stampede at the Bhawan of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi resulting into death of 12 pilgrims and injuries to several devotees, a Division Bench of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh comprising of Chief Justice (Acting) Tashi Rabstan and Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi has directed the Registry of High Court to trace out, scan and attach the statement of facts filed by UT administration through Commissioner/ Secretary, General Administration Department.
When the contempt petition alleging non-compliance of the judgment dated April 26, 2023 passed in WP(C) PIL No.12/2022 came up for hearing, it was submitted that Division Bench had directed the Govt of J&K to take effective steps in furtherance of the decision/recommendations of the 3-members committee constituted for ensuring safety of the pilgrims and devotees.
The petitioner, while appearing in person, submitted that he has received a copy of statement of facts filed by Sanjeev Verma, Commissioner/Secretary, General Administration Department, which is not in tune with the judgment passed by the Division Bench on 26-04-2023. He further submitted that the statement of facts is completely silent with regard to the action taken against the delinquent officers/officials on whose negligence, 12 innocent devotees lost their lives in the stampede. The petitioner further submitted that till date the 3-members enquiry report has not seen the light of the day and even the report was suppressed from the Division Bench and all out attempt has been made to shield the erring officials.
At this stage, the Division Bench observed, in the open court, “the statement of facts filed by GAD Secretary is not on record nor has it been scanned. However, Govt Advocate Eishaan Dadhichi appearing for the UT Administration submitted that he has filed the statement of facts on 09-07-2024”.
Accordingly, DB directed the Registry to trace out, scan and attach the statement of facts with the contempt petition.
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