Mahakumbh stampede: Kaithal resident files plaint with rights panel

A social activist, Baljeet Singh Nayak, a resident of Kalayat in Kaithal district, has filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in New Delhi, demanding to disclose the actual number of deaths and injured persons in the recent stampede at Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.

He demanded a fair inquiry by a judge of the rights commission to ensure justice for the victims. In his complaint, Nayak described the incident as shocking, alleging that several people lost their lives and many were missing. He pointed out that CCTV cameras installed at Mahakumbh were being used to count the number of visitors, but failed to determine the actual figures of casualties.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath said in an interview around Rs 700 crore had been spent on Mahakumbh, he said, claiming that despite such a significant expenditure, there were inadequate arrangements for pilgrims.

He further claimed that withholding the actual number of deceased and injured constituted a violation of human rights and there was a need for an impartial inquiry.

Nayak urged the government to provide compensation of Rs 50 lakh to the families of each deceased and Rs 20 lakh to each injured person.