Hathras SIT doesn’t rule out ‘big conspiracy’ behind stampede

Lucknow, July 9

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The Uttar Pradesh Government on Tuesday suspended the local SDM, a circle officer and four others based on a SIT report on the Hathras stampede that did not rule out a “big conspiracy” behind the incident.

Court-monitored probe demanded

The Supreme Court will take up on Friday a PIL seeking a court-monitored probe into the death of 121 persons following the stampede and action against those responsible for lapses. “I ordered the listing of the plea yesterday itself,” CJI DY Chandrachud told petitioner Vishal Tiwari on Tuesday after he mentioned his petition for urgent hearing.

The SIT report also flagged lapses on the part of the local administration that led to the incident that claimed 121 lives on July 2 at the ‘satsang’ of self-styled godman Surajpal, alias Narayan Sakar Hari, alias Bhole Baba.

The report held the organisers responsible for the stampede, claiming they did not make arrangements to manage the crowd, according to official sources. The investigation committee also found the tehsil-level police and administration guilty, saying they did not take the event seriously and failed to provide proper information to senior officers.

“In its preliminary probe, the SIT has held the event organisers primarily responsible for the stampede on the basis of eyewitnesses and other evidence. The SIT did not rule out any big conspiracy behind the incident and has stated the need for a thorough investigation,” officials said.

The lawyer of the ‘godman’ on July 6 claimed “some poisonous substance” sprayed by “some unidentified men” triggered the stampede. “The SDM of Sikandra Rao granted permission for the event without inspecting the venue and did not even inform the senior officials,” the report said.

The SIT recommended action against the officials concerned posted in Sikandra Rao, including the SDM, circle officer, SHO, tehsildar and police outpost in charge of Kachora and Pora. “The organisers took permission to hold the programme by hiding facts. The conditions applicable for permission were not followed. The organisers did not make adequate,” the SIT report said.