Hathras stampede probe: Will question anyone including Bhole Bola if required, says probe panel
The Hindu
Uttar Pradesh judicial commission to question witnesses and locals for Hathras stampede probe, including self-styled godman Bhole Baba.
The judicial commission set up by the Uttar Pradesh government will speak to anyone required for its inquiry into the July 2 Hathras stampede, a probe panel member said on July 7 when asked if self-styled godman Bhole Baba will also be questioned.
The commission will also issue a public notice soon, asking local people and witnesses of the tragic incident to share any evidence related to the stampede, along with their statement, another member and chairperson of the panel retired Allahabad High Court judge Brijesh Kumar Shrivastava told reporters in Hathras.
"The commission will speak to anyone required for the Hathras stampede probe," former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Bhavesh Kumar said when asked if the judicial panel will question the 'godman' as well.
The three-member judicial commission, also including former IAS officer Hemant Rao, on Sunday interacted with locals in Hathras, besides officials and witnesses of the tragedy that claimed 121 lives.
The panel reached Hathras on July 6 and visited the stampede site near Phulrai village along National Highway 91. On July 7 morning, the team camped at the PWD Guest House along the Aligarh Road in the district and continued its inquiry.
"We have been mandated to file our inquiry report within two months," Shrivastava told reporters on Saturday after reviewing the incident site. Hathras District Magistrate Ashish Kumar and Superintendent of Police Nipun Agarwal accompanied the team.
So far, nine people, including key accused Devprakash Madhukar, have been arrested in connection with the stampede.
In the run-up to Sustainability Day, observed on the fourth Wednesday of October, here is the first in a series of articles about how people think green and impact their immediate environment in the process. The opening piece introduces three men who took up home composting in a manner that has inspired those around them to follow in their footsteps