Hathras stampede: What led to the panic that killed 121 people? SIT submits report to Uttar Pradesh govt, says THIS

Hathras stampede: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Hathras stampede, which killed 121 people, mostly women and children, last week, submitted its report to the Uttar Pradesh government, a senior official informed PTI on Tuesday.

The SIT was headed by Anupam Kulshrestha, the Additional Director General of Police (Agra Zone), headed the SIT. Sources said the report stated that the committee organising the 'satsang' had called in more people than was permitted. 

According to the report, over 2 lakh people attended the satsang held by self-styled godman Suraj Pal alias Narayan Saakar Hari alias Bhole Baba, whereas the authorities had sought permission for about 80,000 people. 

The report also alleged that the organising committee failed to make proper arrangements and did not inspect the venue, reported ANI, citing sources.

“The SIT has submitted its report to the government,” PTI quoted the Director of Information, Shishir.

Separately, a separate judicial commission led by retired Allahabad High Court Judge Brijesh Kumar Shrivastava and retired IPS officer Hemant Rao is also investigating the Hathras stampede case. On Sunday, they met with local people, officials, and witnesses of the tragedy.

On Monday, Azad Samaj Party MP Chandrashekhar Azad from Nagina demanded a thorough probe into the Hathras stampede incident. He called for strict action to prevent such cases from happening in the future.

Also read: Hathras Stampede: Key accused sent to 14-day judicial custody, father says he ‘doesn’t believe in Bhole baba…’

Chandrashekhar Azad, on Monday, asserted, “This is a very painful incident, so many lives have been lost. Perhaps such a big incident has never happened in Uttar Pradesh before.”

He further noted, “I think that if the administration and senior police officials had taken responsibility and didn't show negligence, we wouldn't have lost so many lives today,” reported ANI.

Also read: Hathras stampede: From 24 ashrams to expensive car, ‘Bhole Baba’ holds assets worth ₹100 crore

The Azad Samaj Party leader urged the state government to provide ₹25 lakh as compensation to the families of the Hathras stampede victims. He also demanded ₹5 lakh compensation for those injured in the incident.

(With agency inputs)