UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announces judicial inquiry in Hathras stampede

Hathras: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced a judicial probe on Wednesday into the Hathras stampede in which 121 people were killed.

He stated that among those killed, six were from other states: four from Haryana and one each from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Retired administration and police officials will also be part of the judicial inquiry to probe the stampede revealed CM Yogi. He promised that the committee will find who is responsible for the tragedy or if it was a conspiracy.

"We will ensure such incidents do not occur in the future," he said, adding the government may put in place a Standard Operating Procedure which will guide organisation of such events in the future. "We will ensure this."

On the other hand, Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of the Sikandra Rao division of the district submitted a prime facie report to the District Magistrate of Hathras on Wednesday.

The prime facie report suggests that the stampede occurred as devotees rushed to seek blessing from 'Bhole Baba', the preacher at the religious congregation Satsang, as he was about to leave the venue after the prayer.

The preacher 'Bhole Baba' identified as Suraj Pal is also known by the names of Narayan Sakar Hari and Jagat Guru Vishwahari.

As per prima facie report, the devotees who rushed to seek blessings and collect soil from around the preacher's feet, were stopped by the security personnel of 'Bhole Baba'. Later, they started pushing one another due to which several people fell to the ground, leading to chaos at the site.

Some people ran towards the adjoining field filled with mud, due to which they fell down and were crushed by other devotees, the report stated.

"The injured were taken to the hospital by the police and security personnel present at the site", it further said.

Meanwhile, an FIR has been lodged against Devprakash Madhukar, referred to as 'Mukhya Sewadar' and other organisers of the 'Satsang'. The preacher 'Bhole Baba', who is currently untraceable, has not been named in the FIR.

Uttar Pradesh police have launched a search operation at Ram Kutir Charitable Trust in Mainpuri district.

FIR has filed under Sections 105, 110, 126(2), 223, and 238 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

(with inputs from agencies)