The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a petition concerning the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on February 15, 2025.
The petitioners, Anand Legal Aid Forum Trust, contended before a bench comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and Prashant Kumar Mishra that railway authorities had deliberately misrepresented the actual death toll, which was officially reported as 18.
The petitioners asserted that eyewitness accounts indicated a significantly higher number of fatalities, approximating 200 deaths.
They further alleged that a substantial number of victims’ families had not received the promised ex gratia compensation. On these grounds, they sought a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the alleged administrative negligence and misconduct of railway officials.
The court critically examined these claims, questioning whether the petitioners were asserting a complete governmental failure in addressing the incident and demanding concrete evidence to substantiate their claim of 200 fatalities.
Furthermore, the bench sought clarification on whether the petitioners had documented instances where bereaved families reported non-receipt of compensation. After a brief deliberation, the Court dismissed the plea, stating, “Let the persons who are affected approach the court.”
Advocate Abhijeet Anand represented the petitioners on behalf of Anand Legal Aid Forum Trust.
The stampede, which transpired at approximately 10:00 p.m. on February 15, 2025, was triggered by an overwhelming influx of devotees traveling to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh festival. The unprecedented surge of passengers at the railway station led to severe overcrowding, culminating in the tragic deaths of 18 individuals, as per official records.
In response, Indian Railways announced a structured compensation framework: Rs 10 lakh for the families of the deceased, Rs 2.5 lakh for those sustaining serious injuries, and Rs 1 lakh for individuals with minor injuries.
Additionally, railway authorities established a high-level investigative committee to evaluate the incident, ascertain accountability, and propose preventive measures.
As part of a broader strategy to enhance crowd management, the Ministry of Railways has initiated the development of permanent holding areas at approximately 60 railway stations identified as congestion-prone.
Ministry sources indicate that this initiative is designed to preemptively mitigate risks associated with overcrowding, improve passenger safety, and optimize transit efficiency at high-density railway hubs.
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