Hathras Stampede: Death toll reaches 121; FIR filed against satsang organisers

Hathras (Uttar Pradesh): A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against Devprakash Madhukar, referred to as 'Mukhya Sewadar' and other organisers of a prayer meeting congregation 'Satsang' organised in the Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh where a stampede took place.

The case has been registered under The FIR, under Sections 105, 110, 126(2), 223, and 238 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

The death toll in the incident on Wednesday rose to 121 with 28 people sustaining injuries according to the information given by the Office of the Relief Commissioner.

As per the FIR lodged in the case, the Satsang was held by Suraj Pal who also goes by the names Narayan Hari, Saakar Vishwa Hari Bhole Baba or simply 'Bhole Baba' near GT Road in the Phulrai Mugalgarhi village in the Hathras district.

The main organiser Madhukar had sought permission from the administration for around 80,000 people and the administration made the traffic and safety arrangements accordingly.

However, around 2.5 lakh people gathered at the 'Satsang', causing heavy traffic on the road and halting vehicular movements, the FIR read.

After the Satsang was over due to the uncontrollable crowd leaving the venue, those who were sitting on the ground were crushed. Organising committee members used sticks to attempt to forcibly stop the crowd from running in the water and mud-filled fields, due to which the pressure of the crowd kept increasing and women, children, and men kept getting crushed, the FIR detailed. Police and administrative officials present on the spot made every possible effort and sent the injured people to the hospital with the available resources but no cooperation was given by the organizers, the FIR said. Meanwhile, the police have launched a hunt for 'Bhole Baba' as he was not found at his ashram Ram Kutir Charitable Trust in Mainpuri district.

A forensic unit and a dog squad of the state police reached the incident site in Hathras earlier today.

Meanwhile, Aligarh District Magistrate Vishak G Iyer said that 23 bodies were brought to Aligarh and a total of three injured people are receiving treatment and out of them one is in critical condition.

(ANI)