Hathras Stampede: Six Officers Suspended By UP Government
The UP government has taken a major step after the SIT report on the stampede of Bhole Baba's Satsang in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras on Tuesday, July 2. Strict action has been taken against government officials in this case.
The SIT has submitted a 300-page report on the deaths of 121 people in the stampede in Hathras. The report has accused some officers of dereliction of duty. Six officials, including the local assistant district magistrate, CO, and tehsildar, have been suspended.
The SIT's 300-page report calls for recording the statements of 125 people. Hathras District Magistrate Ashish Kumar, Superintendent of Police Nipun Agarwal, Assistant District Magistrate CO Sikandra Rao, and police personnel in charge of the Satsang on July 2. Incidentally, the assistant district magistrate had given permission for the satsang.
The SIT report also targeted the organizing committee of the Satsang. While there were many names, the names of self-styled godman Bhole Baba, alias Suraj Pal, alias Narayan Sakar Hari, were not mentioned.
The organizers of the event have been prima facie held responsible for the accident based on evidence. However, it has not been ruled out that there is a major conspiracy behind the accident. That is why a proper investigation is needed.
The SIT believes that the organizers of the event and the tehsil-level administration are guilty of the stampede deaths of 121 people. SDM, COs, Tehsil Dars, Inspections, and Outpost In-Charges who were present at the time of the incident failed to perform their duties properly.
SDM Ravindra Kumar, Circle Officer Anand Kumar, Station House Officer Ashish Kumar, Tehsildar Sushil Kumar, Kachora chowki incharge Manveer Singh, and Pora chowki incharge Brijesh Pandey have all been suspended.
Investigations have also revealed that the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Sikandra Rao gave permission for the event without visiting the spot. He also did not officially inform the higher authorities about the event.
