• Source:JND
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The judicial investigation into the stampede at the satsang of Narayan Sakar Hari alias Bhole Baba in Hathras, on July 2, 2024, has highlighted serious lapses by the police and event organisers. The judicial commission, led by former Allahabad High Court judge Brijesh Kumar Srivastava (II), included former IAS officer Hemant Rao and former IPS officer Bhavesh Kumar Singh. The 1,670-page report presented in the Uttar Pradesh assembly on Wednesday detailed the administrative lapses leading to the stampede that killed at least 121 people.

The report disclosed that the main organiser, Devprakash Madhukar, and others submitted an application on June 18, 2024, seeking permission for the event. The SDM approved it on the same day, with additional permissions granted on June 19. Although officials later claimed they had inspected the venue, there was no documentary evidence to support their statements. The investigation confirmed that authorities showed no seriousness in assessing the risks involved.

Apart from the SDM and CO, the Station Officer (SO) and the outpost in-charge were also found negligent. Despite expecting a turnout of 80,000 devotees, an overwhelming crowd of 2.5 to 3 lakh people gathered at the venue. Devotees had started arriving well before July 2, yet the local administration and police failed to take precautionary measures.

The police cited network failure as a reason for their inability to communicate, but the report noted that no wireless communication system was arranged for an event of this magnitude. Additionally, security personnel and revenue officers on duty were not given proper briefing, leading to a lack of coordination when the situation escalated.

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The judicial commission also raised concerns over the working style of the event organisers. While no direct comments were made regarding Narayan Sakar Hari himself, the report acknowledged that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the incident is authorised to determine whether any conspiracy was involved. It suggested that the possibility of a deliberate attempt to attract public attention, defame the government or gain some advantage could not be ruled out.

Preparations for the event began 10 days before the satsang and a significant number of devotees had arrived a day in advance. However, the police failed to deploy security personnel or assign duty posts. Key departments, including police, public works, fire services, electricity, and health, neglected their responsibilities. No officers assessed the arrangements for crowd movement, drinking water, ventilation, emergency exits or the stability of the stage and pandal, the judicial report stated, as reported by Jagran.com.

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The stampede occurred between 1:36 PM and 2:00 PM due to multiple safety violations. Organisers disregarded the approved route chart, failed to install parking signboards, and allowed vehicles to be parked haphazardly along the roadside. The police did not intervene even as the crowd swelled beyond control.

Despite the extreme heat and humidity, only two water tankers were stationed at the venue. Devotees collected water from the tankers, leading to spillage and mud formation on the highway. The slippery conditions contributed to people falling and triggering the deadly stampede. The report criticised the administration for failing to arrange adequate drinking water facilities, further worsening the situation.

The judicial report underscores a series of administrative and organisational failures that led to the loss of 121 lives. It calls for stricter regulations and accountability in granting permissions for large gatherings to prevent similar tragedies in the future.