Hathras Stampede: Allahabad HC asks former DM, SSP to appear before it on January 15

Allahabad High Court orders former officials to explain Hathras stampede, emphasizes need for better arrangements at Maha Kumbh.

The Allahabad High Court recently directed the former District Magistrate (DM) and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Hathras district to personally appear in the court on January 15 and explain it why they should not be held liable for the stampede that took place on July 2, 2024, which left 121 dead, including 113 women.

A Bench of Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav, in an order issued on January 6, said such incidents were the result of poor arrangements made by the organisers.

“This has happened in the past as well that the organisers call innocent and poor people for their benefit. Accidents happen due to lack of proper arrangements. In this case, 2.5 lakh people had gathered at the spot and there were merely 50 to 51 policemen at the spot,” the judge said while hearing the bail plea of Manju Devi, one of the followers of the godman, Suraj Pal, who was arrested by the police days after the incident.

The court expressed the need for the district and police administration to take lessons from the Hathras incident and make proper arrangements for the upcoming Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj to avoid such mishaps.

The court posted the hearing on January 15.