Today(on 9th July),The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing for a PIL requesting an investigation into the Hathras stampede, which claimed 121 lives. Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud confirmed the listing of the petition, which seeks a five-member expert committee, supervised by a retired Supreme Court judge, to conduct the probe.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India announced today(on 9th July), that a hearing date has been set for a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking an investigation into the tragic stampede in Hathras that resulted in the deaths of 121 individuals.
Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud confirmed-
“I directed the petition to be listed yesterday.”
in response to PIL petitioner and advocate Vishal Tiwari’s urgent request for a hearing.
The PIL, filed by Vishal Tiwari, calls for the establishment of a five-member expert committee, supervised by a retired judge of the Supreme Court, to thoroughly investigate the circumstances leading to the stampede.
Additionally, it demands that the Uttar Pradesh government submit a status report on the incident that occurred on July 2, and that legal actions be initiated against the authorities, officials, and other parties whose negligence may have contributed to the disaster.
The incident in question occurred at a religious gathering in Phulrai village, Hathras district, where over 2.5 lakh devotees had assembled for a ‘satsang’ led by Baba Narayan Hari, also known as Saakar Vishwahari Bhole Baba. The sudden and catastrophic stampede resulted in the loss of 121 lives, marking a dark day for the attendees and the community at large.
Vishal Tiwari’s petition highlights the urgent need for accountability and preventive measures to avoid such tragedies in the future. The call for a comprehensive probe aims to uncover the sequence of events and identify lapses in safety and crowd management that may have exacerbated the situation.
“The PIL requested the appointment of a five-member expert committee overseen by a retired Supreme Court judge to investigate the stampede.”
-Tiwari emphasized in his plea.
He stressed the importance of an independent investigation to ensure transparency and justice for the victims and their families.
Chief Justice Chandrachud’s prompt response to the petition underscores the judiciary’s recognition of the gravity of the incident. By scheduling a hearing, the Supreme Court has taken the first step towards addressing the concerns raised in the PIL and paving the way for a thorough examination of the events leading to the stampede.
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In addition to the expert committee, the PIL also seeks a directive for the Uttar Pradesh government to submit a detailed status report on the July 2 incident. This report would provide crucial insights into the administrative and logistical failings that may have contributed to the stampede, thereby informing the necessary legal and policy measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.
The tragic stampede at Phulrai village has brought to light significant issues regarding crowd management and public safety at large gatherings. The religious congregation, intended to be a peaceful and spiritual event, turned into a scene of chaos and panic, highlighting the need for stringent safety protocols and effective crowd control measures.
Baba Narayan Hari, revered by many as Saakar Vishwahari Bhole Baba, was conducting the ‘satsang’ that attracted the massive turnout. The sheer number of devotees, coupled with inadequate safety measures, created a precarious situation that ultimately led to the deadly stampede.
As the Supreme Court prepares to hear the PIL, there is hope that the investigation will lead to actionable insights and accountability. The families of the 121 deceased individuals, along with the larger community, are looking to the judiciary for justice and assurance that such a tragedy will not be repeated.
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