Six individuals, including some organisers, have been arrested in connection with a tragic stampede that occurred during a satsang (prayer meeting) in Hathras, approximately 200 km from Delhi. The incident resulted in the deaths of 121 people, predominantly women, as a massive crowd of 2,50,000 devotees attempted to exit the venue.
The prayer meeting held in Hathras, led by former police constable-turned-preacher Bhole Baba, saw chaos erupt as devotees rushed to the exits. Bhole Baba, who was originally named Suraj Pal Singh and later adopted the name Narayan Sakar Hari, has not been seen in public since the tragic event.
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According to reports, this is not the first time a prayer meet organized by Hari has misled authorities about expected attendance.
Earlier, in May 2022, during the Covid-19 pandemic, he sought permission for a rally for 50 people in Farrukhabad district but hosted over 50,000 attendees.
The police have also accused the organisers of the Hathras satsang of failing to manage pedestrian and vehicular traffic at the venue and of destroying or hiding evidence after the stampede.
There were no ventilation systems in the tents that housed Hari’s followers, adding to the safety hazards.
Also Read: Hathras stampede: Bhole Baba at large, UP Police remain non-committal about his arrest
In a statement issued on Wednesday, he expressed his “deepest condolences to the families of the deceased” and indicated his intention to pursue legal action against “anti-social elements” he claims orchestrated the chaos.
On Wednesday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited the Hathras satsang site where the stampede took place and also met with the injured. When questioned about why Bhole Baba was not named as an accused in the FIR, the Chief Minister responded, “Prima facie, the case has been filed against those who applied for permission for the event. Whoever is responsible for this will come under its purview.”
District Magistrate Ashish Kumar confirmed that all the victims of the stampede have been identified and their bodies handed over to their families.
The Uttar Pradesh government has announced financial compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured.
The incident has sparked significant outrage and calls for accountability. The investigation continues as authorities seek to understand the full extent of what led to the deadly stampede and who is ultimately responsible.
