First FIR In Hathras Stampede Case: Preacher Bhole Baba Not Named, Permission Sought For 80,000 But 2.5 Lakh Gathered

The first FIR registered in the Hathras stampede does not name preacher Narayan Sakar Hari, also known as Bhole Baba, whose event resulted in at least 121 deaths and numerous injuries, as per a report by The Indian Express.

On Tuesday (2 July), Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh announced that action would be taken against local preacher but the FIR names main sewadar Devprakash Madhukar and other unidentified organisers.

The FIR is lodged under sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 110, 126(2) (wrongful restraint), 223, and 238 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to shield offender) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

The FIR, based on a complaint by Sub-inspector Brajesh Pandey of Sikandrarau police station, states that the organiser had sought permission for the gathering of about 80,000 devotees, hiding the situation of lakhs of devotees who had gathered in the previous programme.

Following a sermon by the main preacher, devotees began collecting dust from the path of his vehicle, causing a stampede. On the opposite side of G T Road, people were crushed in water and mud about three meters deep.

Police present at the scene took the injured to the hospital, but received no cooperation from the sewadars. The FIR further mentions that evidence was tampered with by discarding the belongings, clothes, and shoes of the injured at the scene.

The stampede occurred after Bhole Baba, addressed the satsang, leading to the deaths of 121 people, mostly women, from various districts in Western UP, including Mathura, Etah, Shahjahanpur, Bulandshahr, Kasganj, and Hathras.

Following the incident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath formed a team to investigate the cause and report within 24 hours. He also announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.