India stampede tragedy: UP CM Adityanath vows to punish those responsible for incident that claimed 121 lives

On Tuesday (July 2) in Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh in northern India, over 120 people died in a stampededuring thesatsang ofpreacher Narayan Saakaar Hari, also known as 'Bhole Baba'.

According to Uttar Pradesh Police, who conducted an extensive search operation at theRam Kutir Charitable Trust in Mainpuri district,the self-styled godman is nowhere to be found.

After meeting those injured and the families of the deceased in the Hathras stampede, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced that a judicial probe led by a former High Court judge will be launched, and vowed to punish those guilty for the lapses.

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"We have formed an SIT, led by ADG Agra. It has submitted a preliminary report. They have been told to investigate this deeply. There are several angles that need to be investigated. State government has decided to have a judicial inquiry as well which will be led by a retired High Court judge. Retired senior officials of the Administration and Police will also be a part of it...,"UP CM Yogi Adityanath said.

Here are the key updates on Hathras stampede tragedy:

Death toll:The Hathras stampede claimed the lives of 121 people mostly women and children, while 28 otherswere wounded, according to the Office of the Relief Commissioner.

Probe into the incident:As per UP Police, an FIR has been filed against the event organisers under sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 110 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 126 (2) (wrongful restraint), 223 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by the public servant), and 238 (causing disappearance of evidence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Reportedly Bhole Baba's name is not mentioned in the FIR.

Sikandra Rao SDM wrote to Hathras DM, "Narayan Hari Sarkar reached the venue at 12.30 and the event went on for an hour. When the baba left the venue, people started rushing towards him to seek his blessings. A large no. of people were already standing on the divider of the GT road and started running towards Baba. To prevent the crowd from reaching Baba, his private security and 'Sevadars' pushed some people and they fell down. The crowd went out of control and panicked. To get relief from this, people rushed towards the open field nearby where multiple people slipped on a slope and the people started running over them."

Who is Bhole Baba?

Preacher Narayan Saakaar Hari who goes by the alias 'Bhole Baba'is a former UP Police staffer who worked with the Local Intelligence Unit (LIU) for 18 years. Hetook voluntary retirement in 1990to pursue the path of spirituality.

Leader's reactions on Hathras stampede:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X: "Spoke to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ji regarding the tragic incident in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh. The UP government is engaged in providing all possible help to all the victims. My condolences are with those who have lost their loved ones in this. Along with this, I wish for the speedy recovery of all the injured."

"PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have expressed deep sorrow and condolences to the bereaved families. The Government of India and the state government have also announced a compensation of ₹ 2 lakh to the family of the deceased and ₹ 50,000 to the families of the seriously injured. The state government will get to the bottom of this entire incident, whether this is an accident or a conspiracy, we will get to the bottom of it," UP CM Yogi Adityanathsaid.

"I am deeply saddened by the tragic accident in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh. I express my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this accident. May God give them strength to bear this pain. The local administration is engaged in relief work. I wish for the speedy recovery of the injured," Union Home Minister Amit Shah wrote on X.

"The news of the death of many devotees including women and children in the accident in Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh is heart-rending. I express my deepest condolences to those who lost their family members and pray for the speedy recovery of those injured," President Droupadi Murmu wrote on X.

Lok Sabha's Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi said, "I express my deepest condolences to all the bereaved families and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured. The government and administration are requested to provide every possible treatment to the injured and relief to the affected families. All workers of India are requested to provide their cooperation in relief and rescue."

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav stated, "Since the state government was earlier notified about the large number of people going to attend the satsang, it was their responsibility to ensure that appropriate measures should be taken."

(With inputs from agencies)