VVIP Treatment For ‘Baba’ But No Proper Exit, Medical Team At Hathras Venue: Police Probe Into Stampede Finds Lapses – News18

Several lapses have been found in the manner in which the entire religious event in Hathras was organised, leading to the tragic stampede that has left 121 people dead and several injured on Tuesday. From no entry-exit points to lack of emergency routes, the Uttar Pradesh Police sources have pointed out at grave errors that led to the tragedy even as VVIP arrangements were made for the religious preacher ‘Bhole Baba’.

According to the UP Police sources, the entry and exit points were not made. Norms suggest that for a gathering of 80,000 people, different entry and exit points should be made, which was not followed at this event. Sources have also told News18 that there was no emergency route or emergency exit made.

While the gathering was huge, there was no medical team present at the spot. The event didn’t even have sufficient fans and coolers despite the hot and humid weather.

No arrangements were made for food and water, said sources.

The route through which the preacher’s cavalcade went had no barricading. Sources said that in big gatherings like these, there is a section made in front of the stage to control the crowd that was not made due to which people started running trying to get close to the baba, sources added.

The police sources have also said that the organisers did not disclose the exact details in the permission that they sought from the administration. In the investigations so far, it has become clear that severe carelessness was shown in the manner in which permissions were given by the administration and by the organisers as well, sources stated.

VVIP Arrangements For ‘Baba’

Meanwhile, VVIP arrangements were made for Suraj Pal Singh aka Bhole Baba for his satsang at the Phulrai village. A video of the stage and washroom constructed for the preacher at the ‘satsang’ venue was going viral on the Internet. Singh remained absconding as the UP Police have been searching for him post the tragedy.

A search operation was conducted at Ram Kutir Charitable Trust in Mainpuri district to locate Baba Narayan Hari, also known as Saakar Vishwa Hari Bhole Baba. ‘We did not find Baba ji inside the campus. He is not here,’ Deputy Superintendent of Police Sunil Kumar told ANI.

FIR Filed

The Uttar Pradesh 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 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.