July 9: The special investigation team (SIT) probing the Hathras stampede submitted a nearly 300-page case report to the Uttar Pradesh government. As per the report, overcrowding was the primary reason behind the stampede at the 'Satsang' in Hathras which resulted in the deaths of 121 people. A thorough study into the matter was suggested by the probe panel report, which did not completely rule out a 'conspiracy' to be behind the stampede disaster, posing a possibility of the event's organizers being at fault.
Details of the report
According to the report, the Sub-district Magistrate of Sikandrarao approved the event without checking the location and neglected to notify superiors. The investigation report also stated, "Members of the organizing committee fled the scene when the accident occurred, and no barricading or passage arrangements were made despite the large crowd."
The report, created by Aligarh Divisional Commissioner Chaitra V and Additional Director General of Police (Agra) Anupam Kulshreshtha, includes statements from 128 witnesses, including the police officers posted to the Satsang of Narayan Sakar Hari, also known as "Bhole Baba." The affected families' statements were also included in the SIT report. Chief Minister Adityanath is expected to review the report today after it has been handed to the state Home Department.
According to the report, the tragedy happened because the organizers were negligent and did not prepare enough for the large number of people there. Moreover, it claimed that neither the administration nor the local police took the incident seriously. When the rush broke out, more mayhem resulted from the absence of emergency exits and evacuation routes or their unclear marking.
After the SIT's recommendation for disciplinary action against these officials, the Sikandrarao Sub-District Magistrate, Police Circle Officer, Station Officer, Tehsildar, Chowki in charge of Kachora, and Chowki in charge of Pora were suspended.
A case was filed in the stampede case on July 6 against Bhole Baba, whose original name is Suraj Pal Singh. The same day, Baba urged the impacted families to have faith in the legal system in a message expressing his sadness over the incident. On July 5, Dev Prakash Madhukar, the primary suspect in the July 2 Hathras stampede, was taken into custody.
Also read: Hathras: Bhole Baba's First Public Statement, Says He's 'Deeply Distressed'
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Inputs from Agencies
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