On Wednesday, the Supreme Court received a PIL seeking the immediate constitution of a five-member expert committee to investigate the tragic stampede incident in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh.
A retired apex court judge will supervise the committee, which aims to thoroughly examine the circumstances that led to the disaster.
The stampede occurred during a religious congregation organized by self-styled godman Narayan Sakar Hari in Fhulrai village, Hathras district.
The event, attended by over one lakh people, mostly women, resulted in the deaths of at least 121 individuals, including women and children.
Advocate Vishal Tiwari Files PIL Seeking Status Report & Legal Action
The plea, filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari, requests the Uttar Pradesh government to submit a status report and initiate legal action against the event organizers, authorities, and officials for their “negligent conduct.”
The plea stated, “The incident of a stampede at a religious gathering Satsang event in India’s northern state of Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday has killed at least 100 people. It is therefore of prime importance for the Hon’ble Court to intervene in this matter of great public importance and protect the fundamental rights of people under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.”
The PIL highlights the serious lapses in responsibility, negligence, and lack of duty of care towards the public by the government authorities.
It also calls for directions to all state governments to issue guidelines to prevent stampedes and ensure public safety during religious and other events with large gatherings.
The plea points out the recurring issue of casualties due to overcrowding and inadequate management by administration or municipal bodies, emphasizing the need for immediate reforms.
Tiwari argued, “From the 1954 Kumbh Mela Stampede accident leading to 500 casualties to the death of more than 100 people in a Stampede during a Satsang event in Hathras District of Uttar Pradesh, it is clear and visible that nothing in the administration activity of our country has changed. Such actions could have been avoided by showing reasonable duty of care and upfront repair and development activity.”
The Supreme Court’s intervention is to address these systemic issues and protect the fundamental rights of citizens, ensuring that such tragedies do not recur.
Also Read: CM Yogi Adityanath Leaves For Hathras Following Stampede Incident
