Probe into Haridwar stampede on, says Chidambaram

New Delhi, Dec 14: The magisterial enquiry ordered into last month's stampede at a 'yagyna' in Haridwar is yet to be completed, Home Minister P Chidambaram told Rajya Sabha today.

He said during Question Hour that 20 devotees, including 18 women, were killed in the November 8 stampede and 35 others injured.

The District Magistrate had ordered a magisterial probe the same day and a case was registered against the organisers of the programme.

"Enquiry is still underway," Chidambaram said as opposition BJP and AIADMK members shouted slogans against him as part of their plan to boycott him for his alleged role in irregularities in allotment of 2G spectrum when he was the Finance Minister.

He said it was not possible for him to say who was the culprit behind the stampede as the enquiry is yet to be completed.

"A compensation of Rs 2 lakh each was announced by the state government to the next of kin of those killed," he added.

PTI