The Allahabad High Court is addressing the 2024 Hathras stampede that resulted in 121 fatalities, requiring former District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police to explain their accountability. Justice Yadav criticized inadequate event planning, stressing administrative responsibility for safety measures, while highlighting overcrowding risks. The hearing is continued for further examination on January 15.
Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court has taken a firm stance on the tragic stampede in Hathras in 2024, which claimed 121 lives, by directing the then District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police to appear personally on January 15. The court seeks an explanation as to why they should not be held accountable for the mishap.
Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav, during a hearing on January 6, remarked,
“Such incidents are the result of poor arrangements made by the organisers. The organisers call innocent people for their benefit, and due to lack of proper arrangements, such incidents happen. It is the responsibility of the administration to see whether there is proper arrangement of police force, medical, etc., or not.”
Background of the Incident
The unfortunate stampede occurred on July 2, 2024, during a “satsang” organised by followers of Surajpal, alias Bhole Baba, in Fulrai Mughalgarhi village, Hathras district. Initially, the organisers estimated a crowd of 80,000 attendees; however, over 2.5 lakh people showed up, overwhelming the arrangements. The chaos left 121 people dead and several others injured.
An FIR was registered based on a complaint by Sub-Inspector Brijesh Pandey, and the name of the petitioner, Manju Devi, surfaced during the investigation.
The court emphasized the dangers of overcrowded events, stating,
“In the past, many such incidents have been seen where lakhs of people gather in such events, poor and illiterate people gather due to faith and belief, and due to losing their temper, people die untimely in the stampede.”
Government counsel Rupak Chaubey highlighted the gap between the expected and actual crowd sizes, further underscoring the negligence in planning and management.
Justice Yadav urged authorities to learn from the Hathras tragedy to ensure proper preparations for the upcoming Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. The hearing has been adjourned to January 15.
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