UP CM orders judicial probe into Hathras stampede tragedy, death toll rises to 121

New Delhi, July 3: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced a judicial inquiry into the deadly stampede in Hathras district on Wednesday. The incident, which occurred during a religious event, claimed 121 lives. The probe will be led by a retired high court judge and a senior police official to determine responsibility and whether the tragedy was a result of a conspiracy.

Chief Minister Adityanath visited Hathras to meet with the injured and the families of the deceased. He emphasized the importance of accountability and promised severe punishment for those responsible for the incident. "We will ensure such incidents do not occur in the future," he said, indicating the government's plan to implement a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the organisation of similar events.

Stampede Details and Response

The stampede occurred during a satsang hosted by local preacher Narayan Sakar Vishwa Hari, also known as Bhole Baba, on Tuesday. Initial investigations revealed several contributing factors, including an unexpectedly large turnout and insufficient crowd control measures. The event, which was permitted for 80,000 attendees, saw over 2.5 lakh devotees, leading to chaos as people attempted to collect dust from the preacher’s feet.

The police have registered an FIR under newly implemented sections of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita against the organizers, including main volunteer Devprakash Madhukar and other unidentified individuals. Bhole Baba, whose original name is Suraj Pal Singh, was not named in the FIR. Singh, a former police constable, has been conducting such events for years. A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Allahabad High Court, demanding a CBI inquiry into the incident, alleging negligence by district officials.

The tragedy prompted widespread grief and calls for stringent measures to prevent future occurrences. Compensation of `2 lakh has been announced for the families of the deceased and `50,000 for the injured.

Several leaders from abroad and in the country including Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed their condolences. Rajya Sabha members also urged the government to take decisive action and provide adequate compensation to the victims' families.

Investigation and Findings

Forensic teams, accompanied by a dog squad, have begun inspecting the site. Preliminary reports from the forensic team indicated the recovery of belongings left behind by the stampede victims. Doctors at the Hathras district hospital reported that most deaths were due to suffocation.

The Chief Minister convened a meeting with senior officials to review the incident and the actions taken. He reiterated the necessity for strict adherence to safety protocols in future events to prevent such tragedies. The judicial inquiry's findings will be crucial in ensuring accountability and preventing similar disasters in the future.