High Court Mandate: Swift Compensation for Maha Kumbh Tragedy Victims

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that compensation claims for the Maha Kumbh stampede in Prayagraj must be resolved by the district administration within 30 days, not by a judicial commission. The decision emphasizes the immediate verification and settlement of claims, streamlining the process for affected families.

The Allahabad High Court has issued a directive for rapid resolution of compensation claims related to the Maha Kumbh stampede in Prayagraj, which occurred last January. The claims are to be addressed by the district administration and Mela authority, bypassing the state-appointed judicial inquiry commission.

Justices Ajit Kumar and Satya Veer Singh ordered that all claims should be settled within 30 days. This decision came from a petition by Sanjay Kumar Sharma, whose relative perished in the January 2025 stampede that resulted in 30 deaths and numerous injuries.

The court emphasized that inquest and postmortem reports must be treated as conclusive unless proven otherwise. The Mela Adhikari is to verify claims promptly, ensuring swift justice and financial relief for victims' families.