Hathras Stampede Leaves 121 Dead, FIR Filed Against 'Satsang' Organisers; 'Bhole Baba' Untraceable

Hathras: Following a stampede incident during a religious congregation in Ratibhanpur village in Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday which resulted in the deaths of at least 121 people and injuries to several others, police filed an FIR against one Devprakash Madhukar, referred to as 'Mukhya Sewadar', and other organisers of the religious event. 

The FIR has been filed under sections 105, 110, 126(2), 223 and 238 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. So far, no arrests have been made in the case. 

The tragic incident took place during the 'satsang' of self-proclaimed preacher Narayan Saakar Hari popularly known as Bhole Baba in Phulwari, Hathras. The preacher is still absconding. 

Hathras Stampede FIR: 5 Points

• The FIR in the tragedy mentioned that the permission was sought for only 80,000 but over 2.5 lakh people congregated at the venue.
• The FIR added that situation went out of control when people tried to collect soil from the path of convoy of Surajpal aka 'Bhole Baba'.
• It also states that no help was given by the organisers and sevadars of the Satsang when the tragedy unfolded.
• The FIR revealed traffic violations by the event organisers at the venue.
• The FIR added that organisers tried to covered up the stampede by hiding and throwing the belongings (such as left over slippers) of the scores of people in the nearby field.

‘Bhole Baba Untraceable’

The Uttar Pradesh Police carried out a search operation at Ram Kutir Charitable Trust in Mainpuri district in search of the preacher ‘Bhole Baba’ but he was not found there. Deputy Superintendent of Police Sunil Kumar said “We did not find Baba ji inside the campus...He is not here...”

Meanwhile, a forensic Team along with a dog squad arrived at the incident site on Wednesday morning. 

According to Aligarh DM Vishak G Iyer, as many as 23 bodies have been brought to Aligarh and a total of three injured people are receiving treatment and out of them one is in critical condition. 

"A total of 23 bodies have been brought to Aligarh...Three injured people from the Hathras incident are getting treatment at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College. Out of them, two are in stable condition whereas one is in critical condition. We have talked to the hospital administration and the procedure to take the (critical) patient to the ICU is underway..." news agency ANI quoted Aligarh DM as saying. 

What Led to Stampede?

As the event concluded, a stampede broke out, resulting in injuries to several people, including women and children. An eyewitness to the incident Jyoti said, “Suddenly there was pushing and shoving as there were more people than space allowed. The incident happened after the Satsang ended, when everyone tried to leave at once.” People had come to the gathering not only from Uttar Pradesh but also from other states. The accident happened while people were trying to collect the soil from Baba's feet as they were leaving. The place of the accident was muddy.
 

Etah SSP Rajesh Kumar Singh said, “A religious event was going on in Mughalgarhi village of Hathras district when the stampede occurred. Further investigation is being carried out.”

PM Modi, President Murmu Offer Condolences

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu also offered their condolences to the families of those who were killed and said they were praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. PM Modi said the Centre is extending all possible help to the Uttar Pradesh government.  

President Draupadi Murmu condoled the incident and said, “The news of the death of many devotees including women and children in the accident in Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh is heart-rending. I express my deepest condolences to those who lost their family members and pray for the speedy recovery of those injured.”

PM Announces Ex-Gratia

The PM has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased in the mishap in Hathras. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.

CM Yogi to Visit Hathras Today

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is set to visit Hathras on Wednesday in the wake of the stampede. The Chief Minister is likely to reach Hathras around 11 am. CM Adityanath has firmly stated that the government is committed to bring the truth behind the incident, whether it is an accident or a conspiracy. He assured strict actions against those found guilty.