+
 
For the best experience, open
m.thewire.in
on your mobile browser or Download our App.

Hathras Stampede: 'Bhole Baba' Finds no Mention in UP Police Chargesheet

The chargesheet names 11 accused but doesn’t mention Hari as an accused.
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi meeting the family members of the Hathras stampede victims on Friday (June 5). Photo: Special Arrangement
Support Free & Independent Journalism

Good evening, we need your help!

Since 2015, The Wire has fearlessly delivered independent journalism, holding truth to power.

Despite lawsuits and intimidation tactics, we persist with your support. Contribute as little as ₹ 200 a month and become a champion of free press in India.

New Delhi: Three months after a stampede in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras resulted in the deaths of 121 people, the chargesheet filed by the state police doesn’t mention the name of Narayan Sakaar Hari alias ‘Bhole Baba’, the self-styled godman who had organised a congregation where the stampede took place.

The chargesheet names 11 accused but doesn’t mention Hari as an accused, reported The Times of India.

After the incident, Hari had not been named in the FIR pertaining to the case, which invoked several charges, prime among them culpable homicide.

The FIR in the case had named one accused, the chief sevadar of the event Devprakash Madhukar, and other unidentified organisers.

On Tuesday (October1), 10 accused, including Madhukar, were brought from Aligarh district jail to Hathras district court as part of the legal process.

“The trial will commence once the court takes cognisance of the chargesheet,” said A.P. Singh, counsel for the defence.

After the tragedy, the self-styled godman had said that he is very disturbed by the stampede in Hathras earlier this month –121 people died in a stampede at a ‘satsang’ held by him – but that nobody can avoid what is destined, as everyone has to die one day.

Make a contribution to Independent Journalism
facebook twitter