Over twelve months since a tragic stampede that took the lives of 121 people, overwhelmingly women and children, broke out during a religious gathering in the district of Hathras, action in the case went on Friday in the district court, with attention paid to responsibility in the deaths. Legal representatives have set the next cross-examination date to be October 9.
The stampede took place on July 2, 2024, at a satsang conducted by a so-called godman, Surajpal Narayan Sakar Hari Baba or Bhole Baba, who was conducting a satsang close to the villages of Mugalgadhi and Phulrai within the limits of the Sikandrarao police station. Other people who were present during the attack were injured as well and lives were lost.
In the charge sheet, 11 individuals have been identified by the police, including the aide of Bhole Baba and the main organizer of the event, Devprakash Madhukar, who is holding them accountable for the mishap. All the accused have been posted on bail. The charge sheet covering more than 3,200 pages has already been filed in the court, with the trial and evidence recording process underway.
Friday, the statement of a police inspector, who was in charge of the local police station on the day of the incident, was filled in. Video conferencing was also used to record statements of the then Circle Officer, as defence counsel Munna Singh Pundeer reported.
The defence claimed that the tragedy was an accident which came due to administrative negligence and not intentional wilfulness. Pundeer said the organisers had obtained permission according to the rules, but the district administration had not made proper provisions. There was no diversion of the traffic on GT Road; there had been rain that had made the ground slippery, and people had fallen. This was nothing but an accident that the administration is completely guilty of.
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