New Delhi, July 3, 2024 — The Supreme Court has received a plea seeking the formation of a high-level committee to investigate the devastating stampede at a satsang in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, which claimed 121 lives. Two separate public interest litigations (PILs) have been filed in response to the incident, one in the Supreme Court and another in the Allahabad High Court.
The plea before the Supreme Court calls for a committee supervised by a retired Supreme Court judge to investigate the incident thoroughly. It urges the formation of a five-member expert panel to conduct the investigation and demands legal action against those responsible for the tragic event held by the self-styled godman, Bhole Baba, also known as Narayan Saakar Hari.
Additionally, the PIL requests a status report from all state governments, including Uttar Pradesh, detailing past stampede incidents and the measures taken to prevent such tragedies in the future. The petitioner emphasizes the need for guidelines to ensure safe organization of large gatherings.
In the Allahabad High Court, Advocate Vishal Tiwari has filed a petition demanding a CBI inquiry into the stampede. The PIL submitted by Advocate Gaurav Dwivedi claims district authorities were negligent, leading to the disaster, and asserts that such failures erode public trust in the government.
The fatal incident occurred at Fulrai village under the Sikandrarau police station area of Hathras district. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is scheduled to meet with victims’ families and visit the satsang site today. The CM has announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
Following the tragedy, an FIR was registered against the event organizers, highlighting severe lapses in the management of the gathering. The FIR, filed on July 2 at the Sikandara Rao police station, names ‘Mukhya Sevadar’ Devprakash Madhukar and other organizers, citing overcrowding as a key factor in the stampede.
The Uttar Pradesh Police identified multiple organizational failures, including the absence of proper entry and exit points and emergency routes. Despite these shortcomings, VVIP arrangements were made for Bhole Baba. The FIR includes charges under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, wrongful restraint, and disobedience to public orders.
The organizers reportedly anticipated 80,000 attendees, but the crowd swelled to over 2.5 lakh. Furthermore, allegations have surfaced that the organizers failed to assist victims and attempted to destroy evidence. Bhole Baba, now on the run, is being actively sought by police.
Authorities conducted a search at the Ram Kutir Charitable Trust in Mainpuri district to locate Bhole Baba, but he remains at large. Deputy Superintendent of Police Sunil Kumar confirmed, “We did not find Baba ji inside the campus. He is not here.”
The investigation continues as both courts and authorities seek accountability and measures to prevent future tragedies.
