Page 8 - The Indian EYE 071224

NATION JULY 12, 2024 | The Indian Eye 8

STAMPEDE IN UP

Supreme Court agrees to hear

plea seeking probe into the incident

as cops held for negligence

More than 100 people, including women and children, were killed after a stampede broke out at a ‘satsang’
organised by a self-styled godman, Bhole Baba aka Narayan Saakar Hari, in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras

OUR BUREAU Additionally, copies of news ar-
ticles related to the incident, on-site
Hathras (UP)/New Delhi
videography, photographs, and vid-
he Supreme Court on Tues- eo clippings were reviewed. The key
day agreed to hear a plea findings of the investigation commit-
Tseeking direction to appoint tee’s report are as follows:
a five-member expert committee In the preliminary investigation,
under the supervision of a retired the SIT held the event organizers
Supreme Court judge to enquire primarily responsible for the acci-
into the Hathras stampede incident dent based on eyewitness accounts
where more than 100 people were and other evidence.
killed on July 2. Based on the investigation and
A bench of Chief Justice of In- actions taken so far, the investigation
dia DY Chandrachud and Justices committee has not ruled out the pos-
JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said sibility of a major conspiracy behind
the matter will be listed. “I have giv- the accident and has emphasized the
en my listing orders already. It will need for a thorough investigation.
be listed,” told the CJI to the lawyer The organizers obtained permis-
Vishal Tiwari who mentioned the sion for the event by concealing facts.
matter for early hearing. The conditions applicable for the
The plea sought direction from Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi meets the victims’ family members of the permission were not followed. They
the committee to suggest and frame did not make adequate and smooth
guidelines and safety measures to tragic Hathras stampede incident in Hathras (ANI) arrangements despite inviting an un-
avoid such incidents in a large num- expected crowd, nor did they comply
ber of public gatherings. while permission was only granted to held responsible for negligence in with the conditions set by the local
The petition further sought di- have around 80,000 attendees. performing their duties. administration for the program.
rection to the State of Uttar Pradesh In his plea, the advocate cited The SIT probing the stampede People associated with the orga-
to submit a status report before the several such stampede-like events mishap recorded 119 statements nizing committee have been found
apex court in the Hathras stampede that have occurred in the past includ- and submitted a report on Tuesday guilty of spreading chaos. The SIT
incident and initiate legal action ing the Kumbh Mela stampede in stating that the committee that orga- concluded that the organizing com-
against the persons, authorities and 1954 where around 800 persons were nized the ‘Satsang’ was responsible mittee misbehaved with the police
officials for their negligent conduct. reported dead, the Mecca Masjid for inviting more people than per- and attempted to prevent the local
It asked the top court to direct stampede of 2007 where 16 were re- mitted. police from inspecting the program
all the State governments to issue ported dead, the Mata Vaishno Devi The program was not taken seri- venue.
directions and guidelines to prevent shrine deaths in 2022, the deaths ously by the said officials, and senior The Satsang performers and the
stampedes or other incidents for the during Dussehra celebrations at the officials were not even informed, fol- crowd were allowed to mingle with-
safety of the public in organising Gandhi Maidan in Patna in 2014 and lowing which the SIT recommended out any security arrangements. De-
any religious events or other events the death of around 104 Sabarimala action against the concerned officials. spite the large crowd, no barricading
where a large number of public devotees at Pulmedu in Idukki. As per the report, the Sub-dis- or passage arrangements were made,
gatherings. More than 100 people, Meanwhile, the Special Inves- trict Magistrate of Sikandrarao and when the accident occurred,
including women and children, were tigation Team (SIT) probing the granted permission for the event members of the organizing commit-
killed after a stampede broke out at stampede in Hathras recommended without inspecting the venue and did tee fled from the scene.
a ‘satsang’ organised by a self-styled action against six officials for neg- not inform senior officials. Devprakash Madhukar, the
godman, Bhole Baba aka Narayan ligence in performing their duties, During the investigation, state- main accused in the Hathras stam-
Saakar Hari, in Uttar Pradesh’s Ha- following which they have been sus- ments were collected from a total of pede incident, was sent to 14 days of
thras. pended from their services. The lo- 125 individuals, including adminis- judicial custody after being produced
As per reports, the event drew cal SDM, CO, Tehsildar, Inspector, trative and police officials, the gen- before the Chief Judicial Magistrate
in a crowd of over two lakh devotees, and Chowki in charge have been eral public, and eyewitnesses. Court last week.

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