HC asks state if it has policy to keep tab on trekking camps

A division bench of Justices D D Sinha and K K Tated directed the government to file an affidavit clarifying its stand on the issue.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation filed Anil and Sunita Mahajan, whose son Harshal died in May 2006 during a trekking camp to Kulu Manali organised by city-based Sahyadri Adventure Foundation.

Soon after the incident, the victim's parents approached the consumer forum, which, in November 2009, directed the organiser to pay a compensation of Rs two lakh to the parents.

The parents then approached the High Court seeking to know if there is any policy of the state government or if it proposes to formulate one to regulate such camps organised by private organisations. According to the petition, several such organisations are not even registered.