• Source:JND
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Hathras Stampede: Dev Prakash Madhukar, the main suspect in the tragic stampede and an aide of self-style godman Narayan Sakar Hari alias 'Bhole Baba', was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh police on Friday. Madhukar, the 'Mukhya Sevadar', was named as the primary accused in the police FIR. Earlier, a reward of Rs 1 lakh had been announced for information leading to his capture. His arrest came a day after the police detained six members of the Satsang organising committee in connection with the incident.

A stampede at a religious congregation in Hathras claimed over 120 lives, mostly women. The incident occurred on July 2 during a Satsang led by'Bhole Baba'. According to the FIR, over 2.50 lakh people attended the congregation while the administration had permitted only 80,000 people.

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The Satsang organisers attempted to hide the actual number of attendees by concealing evidence and throwing slippers and other belongings of the followers of the godman in nearby fields. The stampede was triggered when devotees scrambled to collect soil from the preacher's feet, which they believed could heal all their ailments. Eyewitnesses recalled how people fell one after one, with their bodies lying atop each other.

Meanwhile, Bhole Baba also known as Surajpal, in a video statement after missing for days, said he is deeply saddened by the July 2 incident and asked to keep faith in the government, saying anyone who created the chaos won't be spread. In the FIR filed against the organisers of the religious congregation, Bhole Baba has not been named. However, the police are investigating Narayan Sakar Hari's background, sending teams to cities where he may have a criminal record.

"... I am deeply saddened after the incident of July 2. 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..." told ANI.

(With Agencies Inputs)