Over a month after the horrific stampede during a religious gathering in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras that claimed 121 lives, a district court on Wednesday framed charges against all 11 accused in the case. The next hearing is set for August 18, marking the official start of the trial phase of the legal procedures.
The incident, which occurred on July 2, 2024, during a satsang (spiritual gathering) led by self-styled godman Surajpal, alias Narayan Sakar Hari, widely known as Bhole Baba, left a trail of devastation in the Sikandrarao area. However, despite being at the center of the event, Bhole Baba is not among those named in the charge sheet.
Among those facing charges is his close aide and sevadar (volunteer), Devprakash Madhukar, who had been one of the main organizers of the event. All eleven accused were present in court on Wednesday.
Charges and Trial to Begin
Advocate Munna Singh Pundeer, representing the accused, confirmed that the court had read out the charges against all 11 individuals. The charges were based on the Special Investigation Team (SIT) report submitted earlier.
“These charges have been framed under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, endangering public safety, causing death by negligence, and obstruction in public places,” Pundeer said. Provisions from the Criminal Law Amendment Act have also been invoked.
Pundeer added that the trial will now move into the evidence stage, during which the prosecution will present its witnesses for cross-examination. All 11 accused remain out on bail.
A Tragedy That Could Have Been Prevented?
The stampede occurred as the gathering of more than two lakh people ended and crowds began to exit in panic and disarray. The event was badly run, according to witnesses, with few exits, insufficient police presence, and minimal medical preparation.
Despite the magnitude of the tragedy, no accountability has yet reached Bhole Baba himself, a fact that continues to anger many family members of the victims. Civil rights groups and political leaders have called for a deeper investigation into the preacher’s role in organizing such a massive event without proper crowd control.
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Defence Calls Case “Fabricated”
“This is an accidental case. The police have built a fabricated narrative to cover up their own negligence,” Pundeer argued.
As the court moves toward full trial proceedings, survivors and families of the victims wait with heavy hearts, hoping for justice and accountability in what was one of the worst stampede disasters in recent Indian history.
