In a heart-wrenching event earlier this week, 121 people lost their lives in a stampede at a ‘satsang’ led by Bhole Baba in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras. Bhole Baba, a former constable turned self-styled spiritual leader, expressed profound sorrow over the incident. In a video statement, he conveyed his condolences, saying, “May God give us the strength to bear this pain. Please keep faith in the government and the administration. I have faith that anyone who created the chaos would not be spared.” Through his lawyer, AP Singh, Bhole Baba also urged committee members to support the bereaved families and the injured, committing to assist them throughout their lives.
The ‘satsang’ attracted approximately 2.5 lakh devotees, vastly exceeding the 80,000-person limit set by authorities. The stampede began when attendees started collecting dust from the ground where Bhole Baba’s car had passed, leading to a chaotic scene. People, including men, women, and children, fell over each other, resulting in numerous fatalities.
Bhole Baba, also known as Narayan Sakar Hari, had been elusive since the tragedy. His lawyer, AP Singh, assured that Bhole Baba would cooperate with the investigation. Singh also stated that the trust founded by Narayan Sakar Hari would cover the education, health, and wedding expenses of the families of those who died in the stampede.
In a significant development, DevprakashMadhukar, the ‘mukhyasevadar’ (chief attendant) of the ‘satsang,’ was arrested in Delhi. With Madhukar’s arrest, the total number of individuals taken into custody in connection with the incident rose to seven. However, AP Singh, who also represents Madhukar, claimed that his client had voluntarily surrendered, rather than being arrested. Singh explained, “Today, we have surrendered DevprakashMadhukar, who was named the main organiser in the FIR in the Hathras case, after notifying the police, the SIT, and the STF in Delhi since he was undergoing treatment here.”
Singh added that they had promised not to seek anticipatory bail, asserting their innocence. He emphasized that Madhukar, an engineer and a heart patient, had cooperated fully once his condition stabilized. An FIR had been registered against Madhukar by the UP Police in Hathras, making him the prime accused in the stampede. The police had even announced a reward of ₹ 1 lakh for information leading to his arrest. Among those arrested were two women volunteers who were part of the organizing committee of the ‘satsang.’
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was briefed on the initial report from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) regarding the stampede. This confidential report, submitted by Additional Director General of Police, Agra Zone, AnupamKulshrestha, included testimonies from key officials such as Hathras District Magistrate Ashish Kumar and Superintendent of Police Nipun Aggarwal. The FIR was registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The three-member SIT has so far recorded statements from 90 individuals. Additionally, the state government has formed a three-member judicial commission headed by a retired high court judge to further investigate the incident. This commission aims to provide a thorough and impartial examination of the circumstances leading to the tragedy.
The Hathras stampede is a somber reminder of the perils of overcrowded gatherings and the critical need for stringent safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
