Synopsis
The Judicial Commission has cleared Bhole Baba of any responsibility for the Hathras stampede that led to 121 deaths, predominantly among women, and highlighted failures in crowd management by event organizers and authorities.Key Takeaways
- 121 fatalities in the Hathras stampede.
- The Judicial Commission exonerated Bhole Baba.
- Event organizers primarily responsible for the tragedy.
- Serious lapses in crowd management noted.
- Recommendations for improved safety measures.
Lucknow, Feb 21 (NationPress) The Judicial Commission investigating the devastating stampede in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, has delivered its final report to the government led by Yogi Adityanath. The tragic event occurred on July 2, 2024, during a religious gathering, resulting in 121 fatalities, predominantly women, and dozens more injured.
The commission's findings were presented to the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet, which has approved the report for presentation in the House.
The report identifies the event organizers as the primary party responsible for the catastrophic stampede.
Additionally, the commission highlighted significant failures by the local administration and the Uttar Pradesh police, pointing out negligence in crowd management and insufficient security measures as contributing factors.
Consistent with the findings of a previous Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe, the Judicial Commission has cleared Bhole Baba, known as Suraj Pal Singh, who was conducting the 'Satsang' during the incident.
The investigation determined that Bhole Baba was not directly involved in the tragedy, which was attributed to poor organization and chaos caused by the event's management and authorities.
In response, the judicial commission has suggested various measures to enhance safety during such gatherings. It emphasized that the police should assess the venue prior to the event to confirm compliance with all safety regulations.
The stampede broke out during a significant gathering at Baba Bhole’s religious meeting, which attracted thousands of devotees.
Witnesses had previously noted overcrowding and inadequate exit routes as critical factors leading to the catastrophic surge.
The 'Satsang', organized by the Manav Mangal Milan Sadbhavna Samagam Committee, took place in Ratibhanpur, where a large crowd had assembled to hear religious speaker Vishwa Hari Bhole Baba.
The stampede occurred as the event was concluding when some attendees attempted to exit the pandal amid the humid conditions, while others pushed back, resulting in confusion and chaos.
