The Special Investigation Team(SIT) probing the Hathras stampede incident, has held the event organisers and local administration primarily responsible for the tragedy during Bhole Baba satsang on July 2 which claimed 121 lives, mostly of women.
The SIT, has not ruled out the possibility of a major conspiracy behind the incident.
Surprisingly the SIT report did not mention even a word about Bhole Baba.
The SIT, comprising the ADG, Agra Zone and the Divisional Commissioner of Aligarh, submitted its report to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath late Monday night.
The SIT inspected the incident site on July 2, 3, and 5 while statements were recorded from 125 individuals, including administrative and police officials, the general public, and eyewitnesses.
Additionally, copies of news articles related to the incident, on-site videography, photographs, and video clippings were reviewed.
The key findings of the investigation committee’s report :
In the preliminary investigation, the SIT has held the event organisers primarily responsible for the accident based on eyewitness accounts and other evidence.
Based on the investigation and actions taken so far, the investigation committee has not ruled out the possibility of a major conspiracy behind the accident and has emphasised the need for a thorough investigation.
The investigation committee has also found the programme organiser and tehsil-level police and administration guilty. The local SDM, CO, Tehsildar, Inspector, and Chowki Incharge have been held responsible for negligence in performing their duties.
The Sub-district Magistrate of Sikandrarao granted permission for the event without inspecting the venue and did not inform senior officials, the report said.
The said officials did not take the programme seriously, and senior officials were also not informed. The SIT has recommended action against these officials. Consequently, the government has suspended the Sub- District Magistrate of Sikandrarao, Police Circle Officer of Sikandrarao, Station Officer of Sikandrarao, Tehsildar of Sikandrarao, Chowki Incharge of Kachora, and Chowki Incharge of Pora.
The organisers obtained permission for the event by concealing facts. The conditions applicable for the permission were not followed, according to the report.
The organisers did not make adequate arrangements despite inviting an unexpectedly huge crowd nor did they comply with the conditions set by the local administration for the programme.
The report stated that people associated with the organising committee have been found guilty of spreading chaos. Individuals added by the committee without proper police verification contributed to the disorder, it added.
”The organising committee misbehaved with the police and attempted to prevent the local police from inspecting the programme venue. The Satsang performers and the crowd were allowed to mingle without any security arrangements. Despite the large crowd, no barricading or passage arrangements were made, and when the accident occurred, members of the organising committee fled from the scene,” the report by the SIT stated.