Factors behind deadly Hathras stampede: Lakhs of devotees, no proper exit, a frenzy for Baba's 'dust'

Relatives mourn a day after a stampede occurred during a “satsang” in Sikandra Rao area of Hathras district.

Several lapses have been found in the way the Hathras satsang was organised, leading to the tragic stampede that claimed 121 lives and left many injured on Tuesday.

The UP Police have registered an FIR against the organisers of the religious congregation. Mukhya sevadar Devprakash Madhukar and other organisers have been named in the first information report (FIR) filed at the Sikandara Rao police station late Tuesday, a senior officer told PTI. The FIR has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 110 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 126 (2) (wrongful restraint), 223 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by the public servant), 238 (causing disappearance of evidence), the officer said.

What caused the stampede?

The stampede was reportedly triggered by a rush for dust stirred up by the car of self-styled godman Narayan Sakar Hari or Bhole Baba.  People fell over each other, getting crushed, just to collect the dust.   Due to the heavy rush of devotees, those who were lying down (for taking the dust) started getting trampled. The FIR stated that Hari’s aides, known as sevadars, were carrying sticks and stopped the crowd from approaching the “godman”. In a bid to reach the godman, people rushed and fell on each other, suffocating the ones below.

Raja Ram, another survivor who hails from Lakhimpur Khiri district of UP, told News18, “We kept on pleading sewadaars that please allow us to go as the crowd is piling up and we are unable to breath following the high humidity levels but our plea fell on the deaf ears and they continue to say that ‘pehle baba ji jayenge, fir bhakt’ (first baba ji will go, then his followers)."

According to eyewitnesses, only about 40 police personnel were on duty to ensure safety at this massive gathering.  Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh police told News18 that there were no routes and no entry and exit points. However, VVIP arrangements were made for the religious preacher “Bhole Baba”.

Guidelines suggest that for a gathering of 80,000 people, different entry and exit points should be made. Sources also told News18 that there was no medical team present. The event didn’t even have sufficient fans and coolers despite the hot and humid weather. There were also no arrangements made for food and water.

The FIR alleged that the organisers hid the actual number of devotees coming to the "satsang" while seeking permission and did not cooperate in traffic management and hid evidence after the stampede.

Moreover, the route through which the Hari’s cavalcade went also had no barricading. The organisers' actions led to the stampede and attempts were also made to dispose of key evidence such as clothes and footwear of the victims, according to the FIR.

The organisers sought permission for about 80,000 people but 2.5 lakh people gathered in the event. By not following the conditions of the permission, GT road witnessed traffic jam and police and administration officials were working to clear it, the FIR said.

Special arrangements for Baba

According to reports, VVIP arrangements were made for Suraj Pal Singh aka Bhole Baba at the Phulrai village. A video of the stage and washroom constructed for the preacher at the venue has been going viral on the social media.  Singh remained absconding as the UP police have been searching for him post the tragedy.

VIDEO | Hathras Stampede: VVIP arrangements were made for Suraj Pal Singh aka Bhole Baba for his satsang in Phulrai village. Visuals of the stage and washroom constructed for Baba at the 'satsang' venue.

(Full videos available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/1qn7CTskD6

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 3, 2024

A search operation was conducted at Ram Kutir Charitable Trust in Mainpuri district to locate Baba Narayan Hari. “We did not find Baba ji inside the campus. He is not here,” Deputy Superintendent of Police Sunil Kumar told ANI.

Asked if the self-styled godman may be arrested, state police chief Prashant Kumar  told NDTV that currently “everything is a matter of investigation”. “We do not want to influence the investigation by drawing any immediate conclusion. The ambit of the investigation is open. Action will be taken based on the facts that come to light during the investigation,” he said.