Main Accused In Hathras Stampede Dev Prakash Madhukar Surrenders In Delhi

Devprakash Madhukar, the primary suspect in the July 2 Hathras stampede that resulted in 121 deaths, has been apprehended by Uttar Pradesh Police. His lawyer announced on Friday night that Madhukar surrendered in Delhi. Madhukar, the mukhya sevadar of the satsang where the incident occurred, is the sole accused named in the FIR filed at Sikandra Rao police station in Hathras.

In a video message, Madhukar's lawyer, A P Singh, confirmed his client's surrender. "Today, we have surrendered Devprakash Madhukar, who was called the main organiser in the FIR in the Hathras case, after calling the police, the SIT and the STF in Delhi since he was undergoing treatment here," Singh said. He added that they had promised not to seek anticipatory bail as they believed they had done nothing wrong.

Lawyer's Statement on Surrender

Singh elaborated on Madhukar's health condition, stating that he is an engineer and a heart patient. "Doctors said his condition is stable now and so we surrendered today to join the probe," he mentioned. Singh also urged the police to consider Madhukar's health while recording his statement or questioning him to ensure no harm comes to him.

The Uttar Pradesh Police had previously announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh for information leading to Madhukar's arrest. Until Thursday, six individuals, including two female volunteers from Bhole Baba's satsang organising committee, had been detained in connection with the case.

Background of the Incident

The stampede occurred during a satsang organised by Surajpal alias Narayan Sakar Hari alias Bhole Baba, a self-styled godman. Recently, Supreme Court lawyer A P Singh claimed to represent Bhole Baba. The incident has drawn significant attention due to the high number of casualties and the involvement of prominent figures.

Madhukar's surrender marks a significant development in the investigation. Authorities are expected to proceed with caution given his health issues. The focus now shifts to how his statement will impact ongoing inquiries and whether additional arrests will follow based on new information.

The case continues to unfold as investigators piece together events leading up to the tragic stampede. The community awaits further updates on legal proceedings and potential accountability for those involved.