The 'godman' has so far not been named in any police case. His aide and the event organisers have been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder and wrongful restraint. State police chief Prashant Kumar said that, "Action will be taken based on facts."
Bhole Baba, the 'godman' whose 'prayer meet' in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras on Wednesday led to a stampede that killed 121 people, and who has been absconding since, reacted to the issue. He declared he would take legal action against "anti-social elements" that allegedly caused the horrific chaos.
Bhole Baba, whose real name is Suraj Pal Singh, also said he wants to offer "deepest condolences to the families of the deceased".
The 'godman' has so far not been named in any police case. His aide and the event organisers have been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder and wrongful restraint. State police chief Prashant Kumar said that, "Action will be taken based on facts."
Meanwhile, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Sikandra Rao submitted the preliminary report on the stampede to the district magistrate (DM).
The SDM, who gave permission for the 'satsang' (religious congregation), was also present at the venue when the incident occurred, according to the report.
"A crowd of more than 2 lakh people was present in the satsang pandal. Shri Narayan Sakar Hari (Bhole Baba) reached the satsang pandal at about 12.30 pm and the program went on for 1 hour.
"After this, at about 1.40 pm, Shri Narayan Sakaar Hari (Bhole Baba) came out of the pandal to go towards Etah on National Highway-91," the preliminary report said, adding that when the godman was leaving the venue, his followers started running towards him for a 'darshan' and collect soil from around his feet.
"Satsangi women/men/children etc. started applying the dust of Baba's feet on their foreheads (while trying) to get his darshan, touch his feet and take his blessings," reads the report dated July 2.
The situation worsened when more people waiting on the divider of the road ahead began running towards his vehicle, it said.
"A large number of people were already standing on the dividers in the middle and on the sides of GT road, who started jumping from the dividers and started running towards Baba's vehicle to get his darshan.
"Due to which the crowd ran towards the open field in front of the venue to get relief, on the other side of the road, where most of the people slipped and fell due to the wet slope while descending from the road towards the field," the report said.
Those who fell could not get up again and were run over by those coming from behind, it said.
(with inputs from PTI)
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 "‘Hathras stampede caused by…': Godman's first reaction to tragedy after 121 deaths")
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