In a recent development regarding the Hathras stampede incident, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court. The PIL seeks the formation of a high-level committee, supervised by a retired Supreme Court judge, to investigate the incident that occurred at a satsang in Hathras, resulting in 121 fatalities.
The petition, filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari, requests the Supreme Court to constitute a five-member expert committee for the investigation. It also calls for legal action against those responsible, including both people and officials involved in the ‘Bhole Baba’ congregation.
The PIL further demands a status report from all state governments, including Uttar Pradesh, on stampede incidents that have occurred over the years. It urges the court to gather information on measures taken so far and precautions to be implemented in the future. Additionally, the petitioner appeals for the establishment of guidelines for organizing such events.
On Wednesday, another PIL has been filed in the Allahabad High Court, seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the Hathras incident. Also, few hours ago, the Uttar Pradesh Police have registered an FIR against the organizers of the religious gathering.
According to the FIR, the stampede was caused by overcrowding. The case details indicate that while the organizers had requested permission for 80,000 people, over 250,000 attended. The FIR also alleges that the organizers failed to assist the victims and destroyed evidence.
The spiritual preacher Suraj Pal, known as ‘Narayan Sakar Hari’ or ‘Bhole Baba,’ comes from a Dalit family in Bahadur Nagar village of Kasganj district, about 65 km from Hathras, where the stampede occurred. Sources have reported that Pal is currently on the run. Police have conducted searches at premises linked to him in Uttar Pradesh but have yet to locate him.
