Jammu, Dec. 22 -- A court in Katra has dismissed a plea seeking registration of an FIR against Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board officials for the death of 35 pilgrims in a landslide on the tracks to the shrine on August 26, holding that a natural disaster caused it.

It, however, said the ruling will not have any bearing on the inquiry ordered into the tragedy by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha three days after the incident.

The plea alleged that despite weather advisories issued by the meteorological centre in Srinagar and the J&K Disaster Management Authority, the pilgrimage was not suspended, which amounted to criminal negligence by the CEO and other officials of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.

Sub-Judge (Judicial Magistr...