Hathras: The main accused, Devprakash Madhukar, has been remanded to 14-day judicial custody on Saturday in relation to the stampede that took place in Hathras following a satsang on July 2. The tragic incident claimed 121 lives, primarily of women and children.
#WATCH | Hathras, UP: Dev Prakash Madhukar, main accused in Hathras stampede sent to 14-day judicial custody by CJM court. pic.twitter.com/HM1fzIwAca
— ANI (@ANI) July 6, 2024
Earlier on July 5, Madhukar surrendered before the Special Investigation Team (SIT), Special Task Force (STF), and Uttar Pradesh Police, as confirmed by his advocate AP Singh in a video statement. “We have handed him over to the SIT and the UP Police for a thorough investigation,” AP Singh stated, adding concerns about Madhukar’s health, noting he is a heart patient.
Self-proclaimed godma Suraj Pal Singh, known as “Bhole Baba,” has broken his silence regarding the tragic Hathras stampede, expressing deep sorrow and assuring that those responsible for the chaos will face consequences.
On July 4, the Uttar Pradesh Police announced that six individuals were arrested in the tragic stampede incident. According to police reports, the arrested individuals are members of the organizing committee responsible for conducting the satsang.
#WATCH | On Hathras stampede incident, Aligarh IG Shalabh Mathur says, “…Six people including four men and two women have been arrested in the incident. They all are members of the organising committee and worked as ‘Sevadars’.” pic.twitter.com/D6clXl03Cq
— ANI (@ANI) July 4, 2024
Addressing the tragic stampede incident in Hathras, Aligarh Inspector General Shalabh Mathur stated that the six arrested servitors had fled the scene when the stampede broke out.
#WATCH | On Hathras stampede incident, Aligarh IG Shalabh Mathur says, “…When the stampede occurred the six servitors who are now arrested had run away from the site. Rs 1 lakh reward is being announced on the arrest of the main accused Prakash Madhukar. Soon, a non-bailable… pic.twitter.com/YRk2lrJcQB
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) July 4, 2024
IG Mathur mentioned that the police are investigating the criminal history of ‘Bhole Baba’. Mathur emphasised that permission for the satsang was not taken in his name.
#WATCH | On Hathras stampede incident, Aligarh IG Shalabh Mathur says, “We are inquiring about ‘Bhole Baba’s’ criminal history. Permission for the event was not taken in his name. ” pic.twitter.com/5mvGjDLeCY
— ANI (@ANI) July 4, 2024
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered a judicial inquiry into the tragic stampede incident. The devotees were suffocated to death with bodies piled atop each other during the concluding ritual of a ‘Satsang’ that was organised by spiritual preacher Narayan Shankar Hari aka Bhole Baba.
The Chief Minister also visited the hospital to meet the injured victims. He has affirmed that the state government is committed to uncovering the truth behind the Hathras incident. He also conveyed that in order to ensure a thorough investigation, a team has been formed under the chairmanship of Additional DG Agra, tasked with providing a detailed report.
According to government sources, a team has been constituted to inquire into the cause of the incident and the Chief Minister has asked for a report is to be submitted within 24 hours. Three ministers — Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary, Asim Arun and Sandeep Singh — were also sent to the spot soon after the incident.
According to the FIR, on July 2, around 2.5 lakh devotees attended the event while there was permission for only 80,000. The stampede took place as people headed home after attending a ‘satsang Sabha’ conducted by a sppreacher known as Bhole Baba.
Both PM Modi and Home Minister called up the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to take a stock of the situation.
The death toll has risen to 121 in what is being termed as one of the worst such tragedies in recent years.
According to reports, as Bhole Baba left the venue, devotees rushed towards his vehicle to catch a glimpse of him. Many also tried to collect the ‘Charan Raj’ or the dust left from his feet leading to the stampede.
