Maharashtra Heat Stroke Deaths: Pawar Demands Probe By Sitting Judge, Says 'Actual Facts Must Come Out'

NCP leader Supriya Sule demanded to know who was to blame for the Kharghar incident. She claimed that the government is not responding or acting. She urged people to seek the government's response.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar on Friday said that the Kharghar incident was entirely the fault of the state government because they organised the event. He also demanded that the matter be investigated by a sitting judge and that the facts be revealed.

Supriya Sule, leader of the NCP, also asked who was responsible for the Kharghar incident. Informing the government that the Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Ajit Pawar, had written a letter demanding action. She claims to have obtained some videos as well, but her main concern is that the government is refusing to respond. They must answer, she said.  

She further if anyone is attempting to conceal the truth about the incident, we must fight for it because it is a very serious matter. "We must raise our voices against the cutting of trees at Aarey in the name of development. NCP is not against development but one must keep the environment in consideration. Centre government must bring a new development model for Mumbai," she was quoted as saying by the news agency ANI.

Under fire for the 13 deaths caused by heatstroke at a state event on Sunday, the Maharashtra government banned outdoor events between noon and 5 pm until the state's heatwave subsides.

Thirteen people died of heatstroke after attending the Maharashtra Bhushan Award ceremony in Navi Mumbai on Sunday, according to the state government. This year's award was given to activist Appasaheb Dharmadhikari, and thousands of his supporters attended the event, which was held in an open field.

The footage showed a massive crowd gathered in the open ground under the scorching sun. The maximum temperature in the area that day was 38 degrees Celsius.

Chief minister Eknath Shinde and deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis were in attendance, and union home minister Amit Shah had flown in to present Dharmadhikari with the state's highest civilian award.

Following the tragedy, CM Shinde announced a 5 lakh compensation package for the families of the deceased. He and deputy CM Fadnavis both called the incident "unfortunate" and offered condolences.