In Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras district, a tragic stampede occurred at a ‘prayer meet’ organized by ‘godman’ Bhole Baba, resulting in the death of 121 people. Following this disaster, a Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and five other district officials have been suspended.
According to a Special Investigation Team (SIT) report, the SDM failed to inspect the event venue and did not inform his senior officers about the gathering. The SIT report, submitted to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, criticized the negligence of both the event organizers and local officials, including the police. The report stated that the organizers hired individuals without proper police verification and did not take the necessary safety measures.
The SIT highlighted that local police did not promptly inform their seniors about the stampede and the resulting fatalities. The SIT also suggested the possibility of a larger conspiracy behind the incident and called for a more detailed investigation.
One of the main causes of the stampede was overcrowding. The organizers expected 80,000 attendees, but over 250,000 people showed up. The police believe the organizers deliberately downplayed the expected number of attendees to avoid additional safety measures. This is not the first time such an incident has occurred; in May 2022, a similar event hosted far more people than reported.
The SIT’s findings are based on statements from 125 people, including eyewitnesses, survivors, police, and district officials. News reports, photographs, and video footage were also examined. So far, six officials, including the SDM who approved the event, have been suspended. Nine people, including the main organizer Devprakash Madhukar, have been arrested.
The stampede raised serious questions about the lack of safety measures at the event. There were no designated entry and exit points, no ambulances, and no medical stations. Emergency exits were either not available or not marked. The chaos was exacerbated by the lack of ventilation in the tents and the actions of Bhole Baba’s private security guards, who reportedly prevented people from escaping.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced financial compensation for the victims’ families – Rs 2 lakh for the families of those killed and Rs 50,000 for the injured. He also assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted to determine if the incident was an accident or a conspiracy.
ALSO READ: “Hathras Stampede Investigation Report Submitted to UP Government”
Supreme Court Involvement
A lawyer has filed a plea in the Supreme Court, requesting a five-member committee led by a retired judge to investigate the stampede. The petition also asks for a status report from the state and legal action against those responsible. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has scheduled a hearing for Friday.
Bhole Baba, whose real name is Suraj Pal Singh, is a self-styled guru born in Bahadur Nagari village in UP’s Etah district. He previously worked as a Head Constable in the state police force before leaving his job in 1999 to pursue spirituality. He claims to have worked for the Intelligence Bureau after college and has since gained a significant following.
This incident has highlighted serious lapses in safety and communication, leading to tragic consequences. The investigation and legal actions will likely continue as authorities seek to hold those responsible accountable.
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