Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court has rejected a petition seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the recent stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela. The stampede, which resulted in multiple casualties and injuries, raised serious concerns over the safety and crowd management at one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.
Background of the Stampede
The tragic incident occurred during the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, where millions of devotees had gathered to take a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. Witnesses reported that the stampede was triggered by overcrowding near one of the ghats, leading to chaos and a desperate attempt by devotees to find safety. Emergency services were immediately deployed, but the scale of the incident resulted in several fatalities and injuries.
Plea for CBI Investigation
Following the stampede, a public interest litigation (PIL) was filed in the Allahabad High Court, demanding a CBI investigation into the incident. The petitioner argued that the local authorities had failed to manage the crowd effectively, resulting in a preventable tragedy. The plea also alleged lapses in security arrangements and medical response, calling for accountability and an independent investigation by the CBI.
High Court’s Verdict
A bench led by Chief Justice Arun Kumar and Justice Prashant Mishra dismissed the plea, ruling that the state government and local authorities had already initiated a comprehensive inquiry into the matter. The court noted that there was no substantial evidence suggesting foul play or deliberate negligence that would warrant the involvement of the CBI.
In its order, the court stated:
“The state administration has formed a high-level committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the stampede. Until the findings of this committee are made public, there is no justification for transferring the case to the CBI.”
State Government’s Response
The Uttar Pradesh government had earlier announced an internal probe into the stampede, promising to hold accountable those found guilty of mismanagement. The state’s Chief Minister expressed condolences to the families of the victims and assured that steps would be taken to strengthen safety protocols and crowd management in future religious events.
