Hathras Stampede: UP Govt Forms 3-Member Judicial Commission To Probe Incident, Seeks Report Within 2 Months

The Commission will be headed by retired judge of Allahabad High Court, Justice Brijesh Kumar Srivastav and retired IAS officers Hemant Rao and Bhavesh Kumar.

The site in Sikandara Rao area in UP's Hathras district, where the stampede occurred during a 'satsang' on July 2. (Photo: PTI)

Hathras Stampede: Uttar Pradesh government, on the direction of Governor Anandiben Patel, has formed a three-member Judicial Inquiry Commission on Wednesday to investigate the tragic Hathras stampede incident.

Formed a day after the incident, the Commission will be headed by retired judge of Allahabad High Court, Justice Brijesh Kumar Srivastav, news agency PTI reported.

The other two members of the panel will be retired IAS officers Hemant Rao and Bhavesh Kumar, according to the information provided by the state government.

The Commission has been directed to complete the probe within a period of two months.

PHOTO | Retired High Court Judge Brijesh Kumar Srivastava to lead the three-member judicial panel formed by the government to investigate the Hathras stampede incident. The other members of the panel are retired IAS officer Hemant Rao and retired IPS officer Bhavesh Kumar Singh. pic.twitter.com/W6ltYFtMyy

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 3, 2024

UP Govt Directs Panel To Submit Report Within 2 Months

"To ensure the comprehensive nature and transparency of the investigation, the Governor, using the powers conferred by Section-3 of the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952 (Act No. 60 of 1952), constitutes the following three-member judicial inquiry commission under the chairmanship of Mr. Brijesh Kumar Srivastava (Second), Hon’ble Justice (Retired), Allahabad High Court, headquartered in Lucknow," the official statement issued by the UP government read.

The state government has directed the panel to present a report after investigating whether the incident was an accident or a "planned crimimal event", determine the reasons and circumstances that led to the incident, and examine the compliance with persmissions and conditions granted by the district administration to conduct the event.

Besides, the panel has also been asked to review the crowd management and law enforcement measures undertaken by the police and district administration during the event, and also provide suggestions to prevent a similar incident like this from occurring in the future.

"The commission will complete the investigation within two months from the date of issuance of this notification. Any change in the duration will be made by the state government's order," the statement noted.