Supreme Court Declines PIL on Maha Kumbh Stampede Safety

The Supreme Court refused to hear a PIL requesting guidelines for safeguarding devotees at Maha Kumbh, following a deadly stampede in Prayagraj. The court advised petitioner Vishal Tiwari to approach the Allahabad High Court, as the Uttar Pradesh government initiated a judicial inquiry into the incident.

The Supreme Court on Monday declined to entertain a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking specific safety guidelines for devotees attending the Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj. This decision follows a tragic stampede in the Sangam area, resulting in 30 fatalities and 60 injuries.

Addressing the matter, Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar observed that the plea should be moved to the Allahabad High Court, as noted by the Uttar Pradesh government's submission of an existing case in that jurisdiction. The court termed the event as an 'unfortunate incident'.

Petitioner advocate Vishal Tiwari had filed the PIL a day after the Mauni Amavasya incident, which is a significant event in the Hindu calendar. Seeking to protect fundamental rights, Tiwari urged for new guidelines under Articles 21 and 32 of the Constitution. The Uttar Pradesh government has commenced a judicial inquiry into the matter.

(With inputs from agencies.)