Today, On 24th February, The Allahabad High Court expanded its investigation into the Kumbh Mela stampede, now including both fatalities and property damage. The decision comes amid concerns over lapses in crowd management and safety measures. Authorities have been directed to assess the full extent of the impact. The probe aims to ensure accountability and prevent future tragedies.
Prayagraj: In a recent update regarding the tragic stampede that took place on January 29 during the Mauni Amavasya ritual bath at the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela, the Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to expand the investigation’s scope.
This directive follows a public interest litigation that pointed out the limitations of the current judicial inquiry, which did not encompass all aspects, including the fatalities and property damage resulting from the incident.
The inquiry commission set up by the government was originally tasked with determining the causes of the stampede and preventing future occurrences. However, concerns were raised about the omission of critical elements, such as the extent of fatalities and damages incurred.
Responding to a petition filed by Suresh Chandra Pandey, the former secretary of the Allahabad High Court Bar Association, the high court has now mandated that the judicial commission explore all facets of the incident, including those initially neglected.
The petition also called for proper identification of the victims, publication of their names, and investigations into cases where postmortems were not conducted.
Additionally, issues related to the issuance of death certificates have been emphasized, leading to requests for a comprehensive re-evaluation of the commission’s responsibilities.
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The Division Bench, led by Chief Justice Arun Bhansali and Justice Kshitij Shailendra, is closely monitoring the situation and has given the state government a four-day deadline to respond. The government has assured the court that the commission will now take into account the financial and personal losses suffered by attendees.
This adjustment aims to address criticisms from opposition parties regarding discrepancies in the official death toll, which is reported to be 30. The expansion of the inquiry’s scope marks a significant step toward addressing the concerns of the victims’ families and ensuring accountability for the tragic losses experienced during the event.
The world’s largest spiritual and cultural event, Maha Kumbh, commenced in Prayagraj with the Amrit Snan on Paush Poornima. Millions of devotees, pilgrims, and visitors are participating in the holy dip at various ghats of the Triveni Sangam, where the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers converge.
The grand event will continue until Mahashivaratri on February 26. This year’s Maha Kumbh is especially significant due to a rare celestial alignment that occurs only once every 144 years. Yesterday, nearly 50 lakh devotees took a dip at the Triveni Sangam.
Mauni Amavasya is one of the most auspicious days in the Maha Kumbh Mela, attracting millions of devotees from across the country. Such a large crowd often causes traffic congestion and logistical issues in Prayagraj. To address these challenges, the courts and bar associations have taken steps to ensure smooth functioning without causing inconvenience to litigants and lawyers.
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