Over a year after 121 people, mostly women and children, died in the Hathras religious congregation stampede, the district court continues proceedings. The next cross-examination is scheduled for October 9, with organisers and officials under scrutiny.
Hathras: More than a year has passed since a tragic stampede during a religious event in Hathras claimed the lives of 121 people, mostly women and children. The legal proceedings in the case continued on Friday at a district court, focusing on holding the responsible parties accountable, a lawyer said.
The court has scheduled the next date for cross-examination on October 9, the lawyer added.
The devastating stampede took place on July 2, 2024, during a satsang organised by self-styled godman Surajpal, also known as Narayan Sakar Hari Baba or Bhole Baba.
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The event was held near Mugalgadhi and Phulrai villages, under the jurisdiction of Sikandrarao police station. In addition to the deaths, several people were injured in the chaos.
Police have named 11 individuals in the charge sheet, including Bhole Baba’s aide and the main event organiser Devprakash Madhukar, holding them responsible for the incident. All the accused are currently out on bail.
A comprehensive 3,200-page charge sheet has been submitted in court, and the trial along with evidence recording is actively underway.
On Friday, the statement of a police inspector, who was in charge of the local police station at the time of the stampede, was completed. Statements of the then Circle Officer were also recorded via video conferencing, defence counsel Munna Singh Pundeer said.
The defence argued that the tragedy was an “accident” caused due to “administrative lapses”.
He said,
“The organisers had taken permission as per rules. However, the district administration failed to make arrangements – the GT Road route was not diverted, traffic was running, rains had made the ground slippery, and people fell. This was purely an accident for which the administration is fully responsible,”
He also highlighted that, except for one, all accused were present in court.
Pundeer told reporters,
“According to the inspector’s statement, water fogging had been carried out at the venue to revive women who had fainted due to heat and humidity,”
Although the satsang was addressed by Surajpal, he is not listed as an accused in the police FIR. The FIR specifically names the event organisers as responsible for the incident.
Click Here to Read Previous Reports on Hathras Stampede
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