Hathras FIR Says 2.5L Attended Event Where 80K Were Allowed, SDM Report Blames Bhole Baba's Security

An FIR has been filed against the organisers of a religious gathering in Hathras, where a stampede claimed the lives of 121 individuals. The complaint alleges that the organisers concealed evidence and violated regulations, as the event drew 2.5 lakh attendees despite permission for only 80,000.

The FIR filed by the Uttar Pradesh Police, however, does not name Jagat Guru Saakar Vishwahari, the conductor of the ‘satsang’, despite being mentioned in the complaint.

According to the FIR, the organisers misrepresented the expected attendance when seeking permission, neglected traffic management responsibilities, and attempted to hide evidence following the tragic stampede.

The incident happened when attendees stopped to collect mud from the path of the baba’s passing vehicle.

Meanwhile, according to the sub-divisional magistrate’s report, a large crowd had gathered at the GT Road divider, with many attempting to get a closer view of Baba. Security personnel and Sevdars intervened to prevent the crowd from approaching Baba, leading to pushing that resulted in some individuals falling, resulting in a stampede.

The FIR, which was filed late Tuesday at the Sikandara Rao police station, names ‘Mukhya sevadar’ Devprakash Madhukar and other organisers, a senior police officer told news agency PTI.

According to the officer, the FIR has been registered under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including 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).

The FIR apparently gave a clean chit to the police and administration, saying they did whatever possible from the available resources.

In his FIR, complainant Brijesh Pandey said the ‘satsang’ programe of the baba was organised between Fulrai and Mugalgarhi on GT road in Sikandarrau area by Devprakash Madhukar and others on Tuesday.

The organisers had sought permission for about 80,000 people, for which police and administration made arrangements. However, over 2.5 lakh people gathered at the event, causing traffic jams on GT road. Police and administration officials were reportedly working to clear the congestion, as mentioned in the FIR.

Meanwhile, around 2 pm, the baba, who was the main speaker of the satsang, emerged in his vehicle, prompting devotees to gather and collect mud from the area. The heavy rush led to people lying down to gather mud being trampled upon.

As people tried to flee the area, they were stopped by stick-wielding helpers of the baba on the opposite side of a three-feet deep field filled with water and slush, resulting in men, women, and children being crushed, according to the FIR.

Despite the immense crowd pressure, the police and administration officials reportedly took all possible measures, utilising available resources to transport the injured to hospitals. The FIR further stated that the organisers and ‘sevadars’ did not cooperate, attempting to conceal the true number of attendees by disposing of evidence and discarding slippers and belongings in nearby fields.

(With inputs from PTI)