Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], February 21 (HBTV): The judicial report on the 2024 Hathras stampede, which claimed the lives of approximately 121 people, has been handed over to the state government and is expected to be presented in the legislative assembly during the ongoing budget session.
This follows the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet's approval to present the report before the Vidhan Sabha.
The tragic incident occurred on July 2, 2024, during a satsang organized by self-styled godman Bhole Baba, also known as Suraj Pal, in Fulari village, Hathras. The stampede resulted in the deaths of around 121 people, including women and children.
According to reports, the event drew a crowd of over two lakh devotees, despite permission being granted for only 80,000 attendees.
The Uttar Pradesh Police prepared a 3,200-page chargesheet against 11 individuals in connection with the stampede. However, the chargesheet does not name Suraj Pal, alias Bhole Baba, who organized the satsang, according to defense lawyer A.P. Singh.
On July 12, the Supreme Court declined to entertain a PIL seeking the appointment of a five-member expert committee under the supervision of a retired top court judge to investigate the Hathras stampede.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud acknowledged the seriousness of the incident but stated that the High Court was well-equipped to handle the case.
'Everything does not have to come to the Supreme Court under Article 32. You can approach the High Court. They are robust courts. Of course, this is a disturbing incident,' the bench told advocate Vishal Tiwari, who had filed the PIL.
The plea had sought directions for a committee to recommend safety measures for large public gatherings and had called for a status report from the Uttar Pradesh government on the incident. It also urged legal action against officials and organizers responsible for the stampede.
Additionally, the petition requested the court to direct all state governments to issue guidelines to prevent stampedes and ensure public safety at religious or other mass gatherings. (ANI)