UP Govt Orders SIT Probe Into Hathras Tragedy

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday announced that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) will probe the stampede incident in Hathras in which 121 people lost their lives on Tuesday.

After meeting the victims in the hospital, Yogi slammed the Opposition for politicising the incident. He said, "Some people have the tendency to politicise such sad and painful incidents. These people have the nature of 'chori bhi aur seenazori bhi'. Everyone knows with whom the gentleman's (preacher) photos are and with whom he has political connections. You must have seen that during the rallies in the past days, where was the stampede and who was behind it? It is necessary for us to know about it. Those who play with the lives of innocent people will be held accountable for this..."

The Uttar Pradesh CM stated that their priority was to focus on the rescue operation. He said that a total of 121 devotees had lost their lives, with the deceased hailing from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Of the 121 deceased, 6 were from other states.

Adityanath also mentioned that 31 injured individuals were undergoing treatment and almost everyone was out of danger. He stated that he had spoken with several eyewitnesses who informed him that the incident occurred after the program ended, when the preacher of the Satsang was descending from the stage. Several women reportedly started moving towards him to touch him, and when the 'sevadars' tried to stop them, the stampede ensued. He added that the administration had not been allowed by the 'sevadars' to enter the premises.

Regarding the aftermath, CM Yogi Adityanath noted that both the State Government and the Central Government had announced monetary compensation. He said that the minor children of the victims, who are school students, would receive educational support under the Uttar Pradesh Mukhyamantri Bal Seva Yojana. Families of each deceased would be given ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakhs, and Rs 1 lakh would be provided to those who sustained minor injuries.

The FIR alleged that the organizers had concealed the actual number of devotees expected at the 'satsang' while seeking permission, failed to cooperate in managing traffic, and attempted to hide evidence following the stampede. The stampede reportedly occurred when people stopped to collect mud from the path of the baba's vehicle.

The FIR appeared to exonerate the police and administration, stating that they did everything possible with the resources available.

The FIR was registered under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 110 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 126(2) (wrongful restraint), 223 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public servant), and 238 (causing disappearance of evidence), according to the officer, according to a report in PTI.

The organizers had sought permission for approximately 80,000 people, for which the police and administration made arrangements. However, over 2.5 lakh people attended the event. By not adhering to the conditions of the permission granted, the traffic on GT road was severely disrupted, and police and administrative officials were working to clear the congestion, the FIR stated.