UP Hathras stampede: Crowd rushed to seek blessings from 'Bhole Baba', says Sub Divsional Magistrate report

A day after the tragic stampede incident in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras claimed the lives of 121 people, the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of the Sikandra Rao division of the district submitted a prime facie report to the District Magistrate of Hathras on Wednesday.

The prime facie report suggests that the stampede occurred as devotees rushed to seek blessing from 'Bhole Baba', the preacher at the religious congregation Satsang, as he was about to leave the venue after the prayer.

The preacher 'Bhole Baba' identified as Suraj Pal is also known by the names of Narayan Sakar Hari and Jagat Guru Vishwahari.

As per prima facie report, the devotees rushed to seek blessings and collect soil from around the preacher's feet, were stopped by the security personnel of 'Bhole Baba'. Later, they started pushing one another due to which several people fell to the ground, leading to chaos at the site.

Some people ran towards the adjoining field filled with mud, due to which they fell down and were crushed by other devotees, the report stated.

"The injured were taken to the hospital by the police and security personnel present at the site", it further said.

Meanwhile, an FIR has been lodged against Devprakash Madhukar, referred to as 'Mukhya Sewadar' and other organisers of the 'Satsang'. The preacher 'Bhole Baba', who is currently untraceable, has not been named in the FIR.

Uttar Pradesh police have launched a search operation at Ram Kutir Charitable Trust in Mainpuri district.

FIR has filed under Sections 105, 110, 126(2), 223, and 238 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

According to authorities, as many as 121 people were killed while 35 have sustained injuries in the stampede.

Sandip Kumar Singh Lodhi, Minister of State for Education (Independent Charge) in the Government of Uttar Pradesh confirmed that a total of 35 people sustained injuries in the incident.

"It is a very unfortunate incident and we have been following up on every update from Hathras all night. It is really sad that the death toll has reached 121. About 35 people are injured," he said.

Earlier today, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath arrived in Hathras and visited victims and their families. He also held an interaction with the officials at the Hathras police line to take stock of the status quo.

Meanwhile, a petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking direction to appoint a five-member expert committee under the supervision of a retired top Court judge to inquire into the Hathras stampede incident.

The plea filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari further sought direction to the State of Uttar Pradesh to submit a status report before the apex court in the Hathras stampede incident and initiate legal action against the persons, authorities and officials for their negligent conduct.