JULY 07;The three-member judicial inquiry commission formed by the Uttar Pradesh government has commenced its investigation into the stampede incident that occurred during a satsang in Hathras. The tragic event, which took place on July 2, resulted in the loss of 121 lives and left many others injured.
The court has sent the main accused, Devprakash Madhukar, to judicial custody. On Saturday, the commission meticulously inspected the site in Sikandra Rao, Hathras, where the satsang dedicated to Bhole Baba was held and the stampede ensued.
The commission’s primary focus is to ascertain the causes of the stampede and identify any lapses in safety and crowd management measures. The incident has sparked widespread concern and prompted calls for stringent regulations to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Witnesses reported that the venue was overcrowded, with far more attendees than its capacity, leading to chaos and panic. Initial findings suggest that inadequate arrangements and lack of proper exit routes contributed significantly to the high casualty rate.
The Uttar Pradesh government has assured that those responsible for the negligence leading to the incident will be held accountable. The commission is expected to submit a detailed report with recommendations to prevent similar occurrences.
Families of the victims have demanded justice and proper compensation for their losses. The government has announced ex-gratia payments to the families of the deceased and financial aid for the injured.
As the investigation progresses, the commission will gather testimonies from survivors, organizers, and local authorities to piece together a comprehensive account of the events leading up to the tragedy. The aim is to ensure that such a catastrophic event is never repeated and to enhance the safety protocols for large gatherings in the future.