Judicial Inquiry Into Hathras Stampede Set for Legislative Review

The 2024 Hathras stampede report, detailing an event that claimed 121 lives, is to be presented to the Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha. Despite overwhelming evidence, key figures, including organizer Suraj Pal, are absent from the chargesheet. Supreme Court steps back as it urges petitioners towards the High Court.

The judicial report concerning the tragic 2024 stampede in Hathras, where 121 people lost their lives, is set for presentation in the Uttar Pradesh legislative assembly during the ongoing budget session. This follows the state cabinet's approval to place the findings before the Vidhan Sabha.

The stampede happened on July 2, 2024, during a 'Satsang' hosted by self-proclaimed godman Bhole Baba, also known as Suraj Pal, in Fulari village. Despite an official permission for 80,000 attendees, over two lakh devotees crowded the event. A police chargesheet of 3200 pages incriminates 11 people but notably omits Bhole Baba, sparking legal debates.

The Supreme Court refused to entertain a petition calling for a five-member expert committee to investigate the incident, citing the High Court's capability to handle the case. The bench, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, emphasized the robustness of High Courts, urging petitioner Vishal Tiwari to redirect his plea there rather than invoking Article 32. The petition sought legal actions against negligent parties and preventive guidelines to avert future mishaps at mass gatherings.