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The report blamed the organisers of the event, the local police, and the administration for the July 2 stampede that claimed 121 lives.
Officials in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh received the findings from the two-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the stampede in Hathras district on Tuesday (July 9).
The report blamed the organisers, the local police, and the administration for the July 2 catastrophe that claimed 121 lives.
Government suspends six officials blamed in the SIT report
In response to the report, the government suspended six officials in several hours: two local police outpost in-charge officers, a circle officer, a tehsildar, a station house officer, and Sikandra Rao sub-divisional magistrate.
“The sub-divisional magistrate of Sikandra Rao granted permission for the event without inspecting the venue…” the SIT said.
SDM Ravindra Kumar, Circle Officer Anand Kumar, Station House Officer Ashish Kumar, Tehsildar Sushil Kumar, Chowki Incident Manager of Kachora Manveer Singh, and Chowki Incharge of Pora Brijesh Pandey are among the suspended officials.
Notably, the “godman,” Suraj Pal, also known as Bhole Baba or Narayan Sakaar Hari, was not included in the 855-page SIT report of those found guilty.
The stampede victims were there for a Satsang, or religious meeting, hosted by Bhole Baba, a former police officer turned preacher.
According to the police, the victims, most of whom were women, fell on the uneven terrain while attempting to retrieve soil the preacher had stepped on before leaving the site in Hathras’ Sikandra Rao district.
Following the stampede, the SIT of Divisional Commissioner (Aligarh) Chaitra V and Additional Director General of Police (Agra Zone) Anupam Kulshreshtha was established. The stampede site was examined on July 2, 3, and 5.
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According to Uttar Pradesh government officials, 125 people, including eyewitnesses and members of the public, as well as administrative and police officers, have provided testimonies for the inquiry. In addition, the SIT examined copies of news reports, photos, video clips, and on-site footage.
Possibility of conspiracy not ruled out: SIT
The SIT report did not rule out the possibility of a conspiracy, as UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath suggested while seeking a thorough inquiry into the issue.
“Based on the investigation and actions taken so far, the investigation committee has not ruled out the possibility of a major conspiracy behind the accident and has emphasised the need for a thorough investigation. The investigation committee has also found the event organiser and tehsil-level police and administration guilty,” an official said.
“They did not make adequate and smooth arrangements despite inviting an unexpected crowd, nor did they comply with the conditions set by the local administration for the program. People associated with the organising committee have been found guilty of spreading chaos. Individuals added by the committee without proper police verification contributed to the disorder,” said the SIT.
The SIT also claimed that the parameters necessary for the permit were not met and that the event’s organisers had gotten permission for the event by concealing certain facts.
“The Satsang performers and the crowd were allowed to mingle without any security arrangements. Despite the large crowd, no barricading or passage arrangements were made, and when the accident occurred, members of the organising committee fled from the scene,” SIT added.
(With inputs from agencies)
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