Two days following the tragic stampede at a religious gathering in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, claiming 123 lives, the police have yet to make any arrests. Narayana Sakar Hari, the self-styled godman who addressed the gathering (‘satsang’), remains elusive, although his lawyer has assured cooperation with the investigation.
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak informed that the investigation report is anticipated soon, promising stringent action against all responsible parties. “No one will be spared,” he affirmed.
Pathak further stated that autopsies have been completed on 118 bodies, with five yet to be identified. “The bodies have been returned to their families post-mortem, while twenty injured individuals are under hospital care,” he added.
Regarding the absence of Narayan Sakar Hari’s name in the FIR, despite allegations against his aide Devprakash Madhukar, Pathak insisted, “No one, regardless of influence, will evade justice.”
When questioned about the cause of the deadly stampede, the Deputy Chief Minister deferred pending the official report’s findings.
The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon amidst a scramble for dust near the godman’s departing vehicle, resulting in chaos. The police, who had sanctioned an attendance limit of 80,000, reported a turnout of approximately 250,000.
Meanwhile, the government has initiated multiple raids across Hathras, Etah, and Mainpuri to apprehend the accused, as per reports. A judicial panel, led by retired Justice Brijesh Kumar Srivastav of Allahabad High Court, has been tasked to investigate, with a report expected within two months.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, during his visit to Hathras, pondered aloud on the incident’s circumstances and vowed thorough scrutiny. “We will investigate every angle,” he assured.
In response to criticisms over the godman’s exclusion from the FIR, Adityanath explained, “Currently, the focus is on those who organized the event.”
Additionally, a special investigation team, under Agra’s Additional Director General of Police Anupam Kulshreshtha, has been formed to delve deeper into the tragedy.
The state government has pledged ₹2 lakh compensation to the families of each deceased victim. Many families, like Rajkumari Devi from Unnao, continue to search for their missing loved ones who attended the ‘satsang’.
Rajkumari Devi, seated beside her deceased sister-in-law Ruby in an ambulance, expressed despair over her missing five-year-old nephew, stating, “What more can we ask for now?”