Bareilly: A 45-year-old woman died after she was allegedly caught in a crowd crush during a saree distribution programme held ahead of Raksha Bandhan at Bareilly Club’s mela ground, according to her family.
Madhu Singh, a resident of Chandraguptapuram in Satipur Colony, was among the women who had gathered for the event. Her last rites were performed on Friday.
Family says she was taken to hospital
According to her family, Madhu’s condition deteriorated after the crowd incident and she was taken to Mission Hospital for treatment.
Her nephew Raja Tomar, a former BJP East Mandal president, said he had brought Madhu to the programme at around 10 am and left her with women from their neighbourhood before leaving to drive a school auto.
Tomar said he received a call at around 1.30 pm informing him that Madhu’s condition had worsened following the incident.
Relatives allege delayed information
Madhu’s family alleged that they were informed late about her condition and faced difficulties obtaining information after she was admitted to hospital.
A relative, Lata Devi, claimed that the family struggled to receive clear information about Madhu’s condition at the hospital.
Tomar also alleged that Madhu could have been taken to the nearby military hospital had the family been informed earlier.
Questions raised over crowd management
The programme involved distributing sarees to women ahead of Raksha Bandhan and was organised by a foundation associated with Bareilly Mayor Umesh Gautam and his son Parth Gautam.
Tomar said the mayor had provided him with 15 passes for the event.
The woman’s death has raised questions about crowd management and the arrangements made at the programme. Her family has alleged that an earlier response and timely information could have made a difference, though the circumstances surrounding the incident and the sequence of medical treatment remain subject to further examination.