SC terms Maha Kumbh stampede ‘unfortunate’, refuses to entertain plea for enquiry

Chief Justice refuses to entertain petition on Maha Kumbh stampede, calls deaths "unfortunate" and declines to examine administration lapses.

Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna remarked on Monday (February 3, 2025) that the stampede deaths at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj was “unfortunate” but refused to entertain a petition to examine “lapses, negligence and utter failure of administration”.

Heading a Bench with Justice Sanjay Kumar, the Chief Justice asked the petitioner, advocate Vishal Tiwari, to move the Allahabad High Court.

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Appearing for the State of Uttar Pradesh, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi said the State has already constituted a three-member judicial commission to enquire into the tragedy which left at least 30 people dead and 60 injured.

The petition had urged the apex court to direct the Uttar Pradesh government to submit “a status report on Maha Kumbh stampede incident that took place on January 29, 2025 and also direct to initiate legal action against the persons, authorities and officials for their negligent conduct”.

On a larger note, Mr. Tiwari had sought directions from the court to frame safety measures and guidelines for pilgrims across the country in order to prevent such tragedies at large religious gatherings.

The stampede broke out at the Sangam area of the Maha Kumbh early January 29 as crores of pilgrims jostled for space to take a holy dip on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya.