Hathras Stampede: ‘Big Conspiracy’ Not Ruled Out; SDM, 5 Others Suspended – Here’s What SIT Report Revealed

On July 2, a stampede broke out at the 'satsang' of self-styled godman Surajpal alias Narayan Sakar Hari alias Bhole Baba, which claimed 121 lives in Phulrai village in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh.

Hathras Stampede: The SIT report on the Hathras stampede, Tuesday flagged lapses on part of the local administration, leading to the July 2 tragedy, while also not ruling out a “big conspiracy” behind the incident which claimed 121 lives. The SIT report also led to the suspension of the local SDM, a circle officer, and four others, as it claimed that the local police and administration failed to provide proper information about the event to senior officers.

‘Big conspiracy’ not ruled out

As per the SIT report, the organisers of the religious congregation were responsible for the stampede as they did make the proper arrangements to manage the crowd. The report also fixed the responsibility of administration, stating that they along with the local police, did not did not take the event seriously and failed to provide proper information to senior officers.

However, the report did not rule out the possibility of a “big conspiracy” behind the incident, asserting that the need for a thorough investigation into the Hathras stampede tragedy.

“In its preliminary investigation, the SIT has held the event organisers primarily responsible for the stampede on the basis of eyewitnesses and other evidence. The SIT did not rule out any big conspiracy behind the incident and has stated the need for a thorough investigation,” officials said, citing the SIT report.

Local admin, police guilty of negligence

The investigation committee also found the event organisers and the tehsil-level police and administration guilty. It said the local SDM, circle officer, tehsildar (revenue official), inspector, and outpost in charge were guilty of negligence in discharging their duties.

“The Sub-District Magistrate of Sikandrarau granted permission for the event without inspecting the venue and did not even inform the senior officials,” the report said, adding the official did not take the event seriously.

Based on its findings, the SIT recommended action against the concerned officials posted in Sikdanararau, including the SDM, circle officer, SHO Sikandrarau police station, tehsildar, and police outpost in charge of Kachora and Pora.

‘Satsang’ organisers hid facts, flouted rules

Further, the SIT accused the ‘satsang’ organisers of hiding facts and flouting rules mentioned in the permission.

“The organisers took permission to organise the programme by hiding facts. The conditions applicable for permission were not followed. The organisers did not make adequate and smooth arrangements by inviting an unexpected crowd. Nor were the conditions of permission given by the local administration for the program followed,” the SIT report said.

It said the people associated with the organising committee have been found guilty of creating chaos, adding that they engaged volunteers without proper police verification.

“The organising committee misbehaved with the police. An attempt was made to stop the local police from inspecting the event venue,” it said.

The Satsangkarta or preacher (bhole baba) was allowed to meet the crowd without any security arrangements, it said.

Given the huge crowd, no barricading or passage arrangements were made and when the accident occurred, the members of the organising committee fled from the spot, it added.

SIT, judicial probe in Hathras stampede case

The SIT comprised Additional Director General of Police (Agra Zone) Anupam Kulshrestha and Aligarh Divisional Commissioner Chaitra V. It was formed immediately after the stampede. The SIT inspected the incident site on July 2, 3 and 5.

During the investigation, statements of 125 people, including administrative and police officials, the general public and eyewitnesses, were recorded.

Apart from this, copies of news published in connection with the incident, on-site videography, photographs, and video clippings were taken into cognisance.

A separate judicial commission headed by retired Allahabad High Court judge Brijesh Kumar Shrivastava, and retired IPS Hemant Rao is also probing the Hathras stampede case.

Earlier, government agencies, including police, had blamed the organisers for the mismanagement at the event, noting that the size of the crowd exceeded to over 2.50 lakh from the permitted 80,000.

Hathras stampede

On July 2, a stampede broke out at the ‘satsang’ of self-styled godman Surajpal alias Narayan Sakar Hari alias Bhole Baba, which claimed 121 lives. Last week, Bhole Baba’s lawyer claimed that some “some poisonous substance” sprayed by “some unidentified men”, which triggered the stampede at the event.

According to eyewitness accounts, the stampede broke out when people ran after preacher’s car to collect ‘Charan Dhull’ (dust of feet), as the Baba started to leave the venue.

So far, nine people, including key accused Devprakash Madhukar, have been arrested in connection with the stampede.

Madhukar was the main organiser and fundraiser of the July 2 ‘satsang’ of self-styled godman Surajpal alias Narayan Sakar Hari alias Bhole Baba at Phulrai village.

The godman was not mentioned as accused in the FIR lodged at the local Sikandrarau police station on July 2.

(With PTI inputs)