Bhole Baba’s response to the Hathras stampede tragedy, details of the incident, and the ongoing investigation. Learn how the community and authorities are addressing the aftermath.
In the aftermath of the devastating Hathras stampede tragedy, which claimed the lives of 121 people at a ‘satsang’ in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, Bhole Baba, a former constable-turned-self-styled godman, expressed his deep sorrow in an on-camera statement. The ‘satsang’ event attracted an overwhelming 2.5 lakh devotees, far exceeding the 80,000-person limit set by authorities. The stampede was triggered when attendees began collecting dust from the ground where Bhole Baba’s car had passed, leading to a chaotic scene of men, women, and children falling over each other.
Bhole Baba’s Statement on the Hathras Stampede Tragedy
In a video message, Bhole Baba, also known as Narayan Sakar Hari, conveyed his grief: “May God give us the strength to bear this pain. Please keep faith in the government and the administration. I have faith that anyone who created the chaos would not be spared. Through my lawyer AP Singh, I have requested the members of the committee to stand with the bereaved families and the injured and help them throughout their lives.”
Details of the Hathras Stampede Tragedy
The tragic incident at the ‘satsang’ has left the community in shock. The event saw an attendance that far surpassed the official capacity, leading to the catastrophic Hathras stampede tragedy. The chaos ensued when devotees started collecting dust from the path of Bhole Baba’s vehicle, resulting in a deadly crush. The authorities have confirmed that the gathering exceeded the sanctioned limit, causing the situation to spiral out of control.
Bhole Baba’s Response and Investigation Cooperation
Since the Hathras stampede tragedy, Bhole Baba had been elusive. However, his lawyer, AP Singh, confirmed that Bhole Baba would cooperate with the ongoing investigation. “We have district-wise lists of the victims, and Narayan Sakar Hari’s trust would take care of the education, health, and wedding expenses of the families of those who died in the stampede,” Singh stated.
Arrest of the Main Accused in the Hathras Stampede Tragedy
The Hathras Police have arrested Devprakash Madhukar, the ‘mukhya sevadar’ of the ‘satsang’, in Delhi. This arrest brings the total number of detentions related to the case to seven. Singh, who also represents Madhukar, claimed that his client had surrendered voluntarily. “Today, we have surrendered Devprakash Madhukar, who was named the main organiser in the FIR in the Hathras case, after notifying the police, the SIT, and the STF in Delhi since he was undergoing treatment here,” Singh said in a video message.
Official Statements and Further Arrests
Singh emphasized that Madhukar, an engineer and heart patient, had not applied for anticipatory bail, maintaining their innocence. “What is our crime? Doctors said his condition is stable now, and so we surrendered today to join the probe,” Singh added. An FIR had been registered against Madhukar by the UP Police in Hathras, making him the prime accused in the stampede case. A reward of ₹1 lakh was announced for information leading to his arrest. Six others, including two women volunteers who were part of the organizing committee, have also been detained.
Government and Police Action on the Hathras Stampede Tragedy
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has been briefed on the initial Special Investigation Team (SIT) report regarding the Hathras stampede tragedy. The confidential report, submitted by the Additional Director General (ADG) of Police, Agra Zone, Anupam Kulshrestha, includes testimonies from key officials such as Hathras District Magistrate Ashish Kumar and Superintendent of Police Nipun Aggarwal. The FIR was registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Judicial Commission and Ongoing Investigation
A three-member SIT has recorded statements from 90 individuals so far. Additionally, the state government has established a three-member judicial commission headed by a retired high court judge to investigate the incident further and ensure accountability.
The Hathras stampede tragedy has left a deep scar on the community, highlighting the need for stringent measures and accountability in organizing large-scale events to prevent such disasters in the future. Bhole Baba’s statement and the ongoing investigation reflect a collective effort to support the victims’ families and ensure justice.
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