Hathras Stampede: PIL Filed In Supreme Court Seeks Independent Inquiry

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) been filed in the Supreme Court seeking an independent inquiry in Hathras stampede which has claimed more than 120 lives in day.

PIL prayed that the Uttar Pradesh government should submit status report in Hathras Stampede. (Image source: PTI)

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking an independent inquiry in Hathras stampede which has claimed more than 120 lives in a day.

The petition has sought a direction from the top court for an appointment of a five member Expert Committee under the supervision of a retired Supreme Court judge to enquire into the Hathras Stampede that took place on Tuesday. It seeks a direction to the Committee in the Interest of Public Safety to suggest and frame guidelines, safety measures to avoid such incidents in huge public gatherings.

It further prayed that the Uttar Pradesh government should submit a status report on the Hathras Stampede.

The PIL seeks legal action against the person's, authorities and officials for their "negligent conduct."

It makes a larger plea for directions and guidelines for all state governments to prevent such stampedes or other similar incidents. 

It further seeks details from state governments on medical facilities available to deal with such incidents.

In a shocking turn of events on Tuesday, many people found themselves stuck in a stampede at a Satsang.

According to media reports, the stampede that occurred at a religious congregation in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras, has claimed 121 with 28 others injured. The Uttar Pradesh Police has registered an FIR against the organisers of the religious congregation. The police have named 'Mukhya sevadar' Devprakash Madhukar and others in the first information report (FIR) filed.

Reportedly, the FIR has accused the organisers of hiding evidence and flouting conditions, with 2.5 lakh people gathering for the event, of which only 80,000 were permitted. However, the congregation or 'satsang' conductor Jagat Guru Saakar Vishwahari has not been named in the FIR though his name is in the complaint.

The FIR alleged that the organisers hid the actual number of devotees coming to the 'satsang' while seeking permission, did not cooperate in traffic management and hid evidence after the stampede, which broke out after people gathered there stopped to collect mud from the way the baba's vehicle was passing.