UP CM Orders Judicial Inquiry into Hathras Stampede Tragedy

Keywords: Hathras stampede, judicial inquiry, Yogi Adityanath, religious congregation, Bhole Baba, negligence, accountability

On Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced a judicial inquiry into the devastating stampede at a religious congregation in Hathras district that resulted in the deaths of 121 people. The inquiry will be led by a retired high court judge and will include retired administrative and police officers.

Incident Overview

The tragic event occurred at the conclusion of a “satsang” conducted by religious preacher Bhole Baba, whose real name is Suraj Pal. According to eyewitness accounts, the stampede was triggered when devotees surged towards the preacher’s convoy on GT Road, leading to chaos as people climbed over one another. The injured reported that the sevadars (staffers) of Bhole Baba’s organization exacerbated the situation by pushing the crowd.

Government Response

CM Yogi Adityanath, who visited the injured and met with local authorities, emphasized the need for accountability and strict measures to prevent such incidents in the future. He confirmed the establishment of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by ADG Agra, which has already submitted a preliminary report. The inquiry panel will also suggest standard operating procedures for future events to avoid similar tragedies.

FIR and Accountability

An FIR has been registered based on a local police officer’s statement, naming Devdas Madhukar, the head sevadar of Bhole Baba’s organization, and other unnamed organizers of the event. The FIR currently excludes Bhole Baba, but the Chief Minister assured that all responsible parties will be scrutinized during the investigation.

Political and Administrative Reactions

CM Adityanath condemned the actions of the sevadars who fled the scene and failed to assist the injured, highlighting their attempts to suppress information about the accident. He also criticized opposition parties for politicizing the tragedy and emphasized the government’s commitment to thorough accountability and justice for the victims.

Further Actions

Three state ministers and top administrative and police officials are stationed at the incident site to oversee the investigation and ensure swift action against those responsible. The government has formed special teams to conduct investigations across various districts.

Conclusion

The Hathras stampede has underscored the critical need for stringent safety measures and accountability in organizing large-scale public events. The judicial inquiry and SIT findings will be crucial in ensuring justice for the victims and implementing measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.

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