The recent stampede in Hathras which resulted in the tragic loss of 121 lives has left the community and the entire nation in shock and mourning. In response to this calamity, the Uttar Pradesh government has taken significant steps to ensurev a thorough investigation into the incident.
Formation of the Judicial Inquiry Commission
On Wednesday, Governor Anandiben Patel announced the formation of a three-member Judicial Inquiry Commission. This commission led by Justice (Retired) Brijesh Kumar Srivastava is tasked with conducting a comprehensive and transparent investigation. The inclusion of such experienced individuals in the commission emphasises the seriousness with which the government is addressing this tragedy.
Members of the Commission
The commission comprises three distinguished members:
- Justice (Retd.) Brijesh Kumar Srivastava - A retired judge from the Allahabad High Court, serving as the chairman.
- Hemant Rao (Retd., IAS) - A retired Indian Administrative Service officer.
- Bhavesh Kumar Singh (Retd., IPS) - A retired Indian Police Service officer.
These members bring great experience and expertise to the investigation by ensuring that all aspects of the incident are thoroughly examined.
Scope and Timeline of the Investigation
The Judicial Inquiry Commission is mandated to investigate various aspects of the Hathras stampede over the next two months. This investigation will involve all factors leading up to the incident, the circumstances during the stampede and the response in its aftermath.
Submission of the Report
Upon completing the investigation, the commission will compile its findings and submit a detailed report to the State Government. This report is expected to provide critical insights into what caused the stampede and recommend measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Ensuring Accountability and Prevention
The formation of this Judicial Inquiry Commission is a crucial step towards ensuring accountability and learning from this tragic event. The comprehensive investigation aims not only to provide justice to the victims and their families but also to implement safeguards that will help prevent similar incidents in the future. The state and the nation await the commission's findings with the hope that it will lead to meaningful changes and more safety measures.
Judicial Commission to Investigate Compliance and Incident Circumstances
- Compliance with Permissions and Conditions: The Judicial Commission will thoroughly examine whether the event organizers adhered to the permissions granted by the District Administration. This involves checking if all the specified conditions and guidelines were followed meticulously.
- Investigating the Nature of the Incident: A key part of the commission's inquiry is to determine whether the incident was purely accidental, the result of a conspiracy or a planned criminal act. This aspect of the investigation is crucial to understanding the true nature of what become known.
Evaluating Crowd Control Measures
The Commission will also assess the measures taken by the District Administration, the Police to manage the crowd and maintain order during the event. This includes a detailed review of the strategies and resources deployed to ensure public safety.
Understanding Incident Causes and Circumstances
Another significant responsibility of the Commission is to identify the causes and circumstances that led to the incident. This comprehensive investigation aims to uncover any underlying issues or lapses that contributed to the event.
Recommendations for Future Prevention
Finally, the Commission will offer recommendations to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. By analyzing the current incident, the Commission hopes to suggest effective measures and improvements to enhance safety and compliance for future events.
Tragic Stampede in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras: A Detailed Look
- The Incident and Immediate Impact: A devastating stampede occurred on Tuesday in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, resulting in the tragic deaths of 121 people and injuring 35 others. The incident unfolded during a religious gathering which led to leaving the community in shock and grief.
- Initial Findings from Authorities: According to a preliminary report by the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of the Sikandra Rao division the stampede started when devotees hurried to receive blessings from 'Bhole Baba', who is a well-regarded preacher as he was preparing to leave the venue after the prayer session at the Satsang.
The preacher known as 'Bhole Baba,' is identified as Suraj Pal and he is also known by other names including Narayan Sakar Hari and Jagat Guru Vishwahari. His presence at the religious event drew a large crowd of devotees seeking his blessings.
Circumstances Leading to the Stampede
The preliminary report details that the chaos began when devotees rushed forward to seek blessings and gather soil from around the preacher’s feet. Security personnel attempted to stop them leading to pushing and shoving among the crowd. This escalation resulted in many people falling to the ground, creating a chaotic and dangerous situation that ultimately led to the stampede.
Understanding the Consequences
This tragic event highlights the need for better crowd management and safety measures at large gatherings. The incident not only emphasizes the importance of effective security protocols but also the need for increased awareness and preparedness to prevent such occurrences in the future.
Chaos and Tragedy Ensue
The prime facie report revealed that devotees eagerly sought blessings and soil from around Bhole Baba's feet, but were stopped by his security personnel. This led to a surge of people pushing one another, causing several to fall and resulting in chaos at the site. In the ensuing panic, some individuals rushed towards an adjoining muddy field where they fell and were tragically crushed by other devotees.
Response and Investigation
The injured were promptly transported to the hospital by police and security personnel present at the scene. An FIR has been lodged against Devprakash Madhukar, referred to as 'Mukhya Sewadar,' and other organizers of the 'Satsang.' Notably, the preacher Bhole Baba, currently untraceable, has not been named in the FIR. The Uttar Pradesh police have initiated a search operation at Ram Kutir Charitable Trust in Mainpuri district and the FIR has been filed under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
Consequences and Aftermath
The tragic incident has sparked widespread concern with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directing district officials to ensure prompt hospitalization of the injured and expedite relief efforts. A thorough probe into the incident has been ordered to determine the underlying causes and prevent such tragedies in the future. The Prime Minister's Office has announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the next of relatives of each person killed in the stampede while the injured will receive Rs 50,000.
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