After a devastating stampede claimed the lives of 121 people at a ‘satsang‘ in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, Bhole Baba, the spiritual leader at the center of the event, has broken his silence. In a heartfelt video statement, the former constable-turned-self-styled godman expressed profound sorrow over the incident.
“May God give us the strength to bear this pain. Please keep faith in the government and the administration,” Bhole Baba appealed, addressing the tragic aftermath of the overcrowded gathering that turned fatal. The ‘satsang’, which drew a staggering 2.5 lakh devotees, spiraled into chaos when attendees rushed to collect dust from the ground where Bhole Baba’s car had passed, triggering a deadly stampede.
Authorities reported that the number of attendees far exceeded the permitted limit of 80,000, leading to a chaotic scene where men, women, and children were caught in the stampede, resulting in numerous casualties.
Legal Proceedings and Arrests
Bhole Baba, also known as Narayan Sakar Hari, had been elusive following the incident, but his lawyer, AP Singh, assured cooperation with the investigation. “Through my lawyer AP Singh, I have requested the committee members to support the bereaved families and the injured,” Bhole Baba stated.
In a significant development, Devprakash Madhukar, identified as the ‘mukhya sevadar’ (chief organizer) of the ‘satsang’, was arrested in Delhi, according to Hathras Police. This arrest brings the total number of individuals apprehended in connection with the case to seven. AP Singh clarified that Madhukar had voluntarily surrendered to authorities in Delhi, asserting his innocence and willingness to cooperate fully with the investigation.
An FIR naming Madhukar as the prime accused had been filed by Uttar Pradesh Police in Hathras. The police had announced a reward for information leading to his arrest, highlighting the severity of the legal repercussions in the wake of the tragedy.
Government Response and Investigations
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was briefed on the initial findings of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) tasked with probing the incident. The confidential report submitted by the Additional Director General (ADG) of Police, Agra Zone, detailed testimonies from key officials involved, including Hathras District Magistrate Ashish Kumar and Superintendent of Police Nipun Aggarwal.
The SIT has already recorded statements from 90 individuals as part of its investigation. Furthermore, the state government has formed a three-member judicial commission, headed by a retired high court judge, to delve deeper into the circumstances that led to the tragic stampede.
As investigations continue and legal proceedings unfold, the Hathras stampede remains a stark reminder of the importance of safety protocols and crowd management at large-scale events, urging authorities and organizers alike to prioritize public safety above all else.
Read more: https://thelocaljournalist.com/chaos-at-hathras-opposition-targets-yogi-over-hathras-incident/
