Hathras Stampede: SIT Says Organisers Of ‘Satsang’ Responsible For Mishap

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the stampede in Hathras submitted a report on Tuesday, holding the organizers of the ‘Satsang’ responsible for inviting more people than permitted.

According to sources, the report indicates that the committee responsible for organizing the religious event, ‘Satsang,’ should be held accountable for the stampede incident.

The committee invited more people than the permitted number and failed to make adequate arrangements, the report says. Additionally, the officials who granted permission for the religious gathering failed to visit the site.

Statements from 119 people, including family members of the deceased and injured, were recorded in the nearly 300-page report.

The SIT also recorded statements from Hathras District Magistrate Ashish Kumar, Superintendent of Police Nipun Agarwal, and the SDM of Sikandra Rao town in Hathras, who gave permission for the Satsang, as well as police personnel on duty at the event on July 2.

Meanwhile, the lawyer of the self-styled godman who led the Satsang claimed that the mishap was “not an accident but a conspiracy.”

On Saturday, Devprakash Madhukar, the main accused in the Hathras stampede incident, was sent to 14 days of judicial custody. Additionally, two other accused, Ramprakash Shakya and Sanju Yadav, were also arrested, according to the police.