SC notice on pilgrims' safety at religious places

The petitioner referred to the Oct 13 incident at the temple of Mata near Ratangarh Datia, Madhya Pradesh, which claimed over 115 lives

The Supreme Court Tuesday issued notice to the centre and state governments on a PIL seeking directions to put in place "appropriate statutory" provisions and rules for crowd control and disaster management in the country.

The apex court bench of Chief Justice P Sathasivam, Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai and Justice Ranjan Gogoi issued notice on the PIL by apex court lawyer Vineet Dhanda seeking "appropriate statutory laws laying down rules, regulation and guidelines for the crowd control and disaster management at the places of worship across the country during the festivals and otherwise".

The PIL petition that also sought "adequate security and facilities to the devotees at religious places and temples" referred to several incidents of devotees losing their lives during pilgrimage at religious places.

In this context, the PIL petitioner referred to the Oct 13 incident at the temple of Mata near Ratangarh Datia, Madhya Pradesh, which claimed over 115 lives.

The PIL petitioner said he was distressed by reports of people losing their lives at various religious places and at places of social gathering because of the lack of proper security and other arrangements.

It was the duty of the government - which represents the welfare state - to make arrangement for protecting the lives of people visiting religious places and congregations including social gatherings, he said.