Overcrowding has been identified as the primary cause of the stampede at a ‘satsang’ in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, which resulted in 121 fatalities, according to a report by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) submitted to the Yogi Adityanath government. The report, prepared by Additional Director General of Police (Agra) Anupam Kulshreshtha and Aligarh Divisional Commissioner Chaitra V, includes statements from 128 witnesses, including police officers present at the event held by Narayan Sakar Hari, popularly known as ‘Bhole Baba’.
The report has been submitted to the state Home Department, and Chief Minister Adityanath is expected to review it today. Preliminary findings suggest that the self-styled godman and his aides could have prevented the tragedy. The initial FIR indicated that organizers sought permission for 80,000 attendees, but an estimated 2.5 lakh people turned up. As a result, nine individuals, including the main organizer of the July 2 event, Devprakash Madhukar, have been arrested.
Narayan Sakar Hari, who has not been named as an accused in the FIR, is currently absconding. His lawyer, AP Singh, has stated that the preacher is willing to cooperate with the investigation, while also alleging a conspiracy, claiming that unidentified individuals had sprayed poison at the event, triggering the stampede.
Senior police officer Anupam Kulshreshtha told PTI last week that while the conspiracy angle has not been ruled out, evidence points to culpability on the part of the organizers. The stampede reportedly began when followers rushed to collect dust stirred up by the godman’s car as he was leaving. According to the subdivisional magistrate’s report, the godman’s private security guards began pushing followers, causing some to fall and be trampled. In the ensuing chaos, many fled towards an open field, where several slipped and were run over by others.
Chief Minister Adityanath has promised strict action, not ruling out the possibility of a conspiracy. “If this is not an accident, then whose conspiracy is this? All of these will be probed,” he said. Alongside the SIT, a judicial panel headed by a retired high court judge is also investigating the stampede.
