Lucknow: The judicial commission investigating the Hathras stampede has given a clean chit to self-styled preacher Bhole Baba, holding the event organizers responsible for the tragedy. The report, submitted to the Uttar Pradesh government on Friday, highlighted police and administrative failures as key causes behind the devastating incident that claimed over 120 lives on July 2 last year.
The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has approved presenting the report before the Vidhan Sabha. According to the findings, the stampede was triggered by mismanagement and lack of proper arrangements. Despite receiving permission for 80,000 attendees, the event saw an overwhelming crowd of over two lakh devotees, leading to chaos and tragedy.
The Uttar Pradesh Police had earlier filed a 3,200-page chargesheet against 11 individuals connected to the incident. However, Bhole Baba, aka Suraj Pal, who led the ‘Satsang,’ was not named in the chargesheet, as confirmed by defense lawyer AP Singh.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court had earlier refused to entertain a PIL demanding a high-level expert committee probe into the incident. The apex court advised the petitioners to approach the Allahabad High Court, stating that the judiciary at that level is capable of handling the case.
