A PIL filed in the Supreme Court demands a court-monitored investigation into the Hathras stampede that killed 121 people. The petition seeks the formation of a high-level committee, supervised by a retired Supreme Court judge, to investigate the incident.
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NEW DELHI: A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a court-monitored investigation into the Hathras stampede that occurred last evening. The catastrophe has resulted in the death of approximately 121 people so far. The petition calls for the establishment of a high-level committee, supervised by a retired Supreme Court judge, to thoroughly investigate the incident.
PIL Filed by Advocate Vishal Tiwari
The petition was submitted by advocate Vishal Tiwari, who emphasized that ordinary citizens often bear the brunt of such tragic events, while special arrangements are made for VIPs and dignitaries. Tiwari’s plea highlights the severe lapse in duty by the state government and municipal corporations, pointing out the failure in both maintaining and administering supervision at the event.
“This horrific stampede has raised numerous questions about the responsibilities and failures of the State Government and Municipal Corporations. In addition to the lack of proper supervision, the authorities failed to control the crowd gathered for the event.”
– stated Tiwari.
The stampede took place during a satsang organized to meet Narayan Saakar Hari, also known as ‘Bhole Baba.’ The self-styled godman, formerly known as Suraj Pal, had drawn a crowd of over two lakh devotees, far exceeding the permitted 80,000 attendees. This massive influx of people led to a chaotic situation, culminating in the deadly stampede.
Criminal Case Registered
In response to the incident, the Uttar Pradesh police have registered a criminal case against the organizers of the event. Despite the severity of the situation, Bhole Baba, who is reportedly not named in the first information report (FIR), remains absconding.
Past Stampede Incidents Highlighted
Tiwari’s plea also recounts several past incidents of stampedes in India, including:
- The Kumbh Mela Stampede in 1954, where around 800 people lost their lives.
- The Mecca Masjid Stampede of 2007, which resulted in 16 deaths.
- The Mata Vaishno Devi shrine stampede in 2022.
- The Dussehra celebrations stampede at Gandhi Maidan in Patna in 2014.
- The death of around 104 Sabarimala devotees at Pulmedu in Idukki.
Urgent Directions Sought from Supreme Court
In light of the recent Hathras tragedy, Tiwari has urged the Supreme Court to issue several critical directions to prevent such incidents in the future:
- Formation of an Expert Committee: Appoint a five-member expert committee under the supervision of a retired Supreme Court judge to inquire into the Hathras stampede.
- Guideline Suggestions: Direct this committee to suggest comprehensive guidelines to prevent such incidents at public gatherings.
- Status Report and Legal Action: Mandate the State of Uttar Pradesh to submit a status report and initiate legal action against those found negligent.
- Preventive Guidelines: Instruct states to issue preventive guidelines to ensure the safety of the public during large religious or other events.
- Medical Facility Reports: Require states to submit reports on the availability of medical facilities to manage stampede-like situations or other emergencies.
Plea in Allahabad High Court Seeks CBI Probe, Independent Judicial Inquiry
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been submitted to the Allahabad High Court, advocating for a comprehensive investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the catastrophic stampede at Hathras, which tragically ended the lives of 121 individuals and injured 28 others.
Advocate Gaurav Dwiwedi, a practicing lawyer at the Allahabad High Court, initiated the PIL in response to the devastating event that not only claimed numerous lives but also left several in critical condition. The Office of the Relief Commissioner provided an official count, confirming the casualties and detailing the current medical responses.
Medical facilities across various locations are stretched as they manage the aftermath. Six of the injured are receiving care at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh, while an equal number are at Deen Dayal Hospital in the same city. Nine victims are being treated at Hathras’ Bagla Hospital, one at Agra SN Medical College, and another six at Etah Medical College.
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The Uttar Pradesh police recently conducted a search at the Ram Kutir Charitable Trust in Mainpuri district. They were in pursuit of ‘Bhole Baba’, the religious leader who conducted a Satsang in Hathras where the stampede occurred.
Deputy SP Sunil Kumar reported-
“We searched the campus, but Baba ji was not found here.”
Eyewitness accounts from the scene describe a chaotic aftermath following the religious gathering. Shakuntala Devi, an eyewitness, recalled the moments leading to the tragedy:
“After the Satsang of Bhole Baba ended, a stampede occurred as people started leaving. The uneven road caused people to fall on each other.”
The local government has expressed its determination to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the incident. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath assured a thorough investigation, emphasizing the importance of understanding the precise nature of the tragedy.
He stated-
“It’s regrettable and condemnable to politicize rather than offer condolences for such an incident. The government is deeply concerned and committed to thoroughly investigating whether this was an accident or a conspiracy, and ensuring appropriate punishment for those responsible.”
To facilitate a detailed inquiry, a special team led by Additional DG Agra has been assembled to compile a comprehensive report, as announced by CM Yogi.