Congress MP Rahul Gandhi arrived in Pilakhna village, Aligarh, on Friday morning to meet with the families affected by the Hathras stampede, which claimed 121 lives and left over a dozen injured. The tragedy occurred during a Satsang led by religious preacher Suraj Pal, also known as Narayan Sakar Hari and ‘Bhole Baba’.
#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi meets the victims of the Hathras stampede, in Aligarh. pic.twitter.com/DrX4pLBGCS
— ANI (@ANI) July 5, 2024
Uttar Pradesh Police conducted a search operation at Ram Kutir Charitable Trust in Mainpuri on Thursday but did not find ‘Bhole Baba’. An FIR has been filed against the organizers of the event. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sunil Kumar confirmed that the preacher was not found inside his ashram, a sentiment echoed by Hathras City Superintendent Rahul Mithas.
Following his visit to the tragedy site, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered a judicial probe, forming a three-member Judicial Inquiry Commission chaired by retired Justice Brijesh Kumar Srivastava. The commission aims to conduct a comprehensive and transparent investigation within the next two months.
Initial reports suggest that the stampede occurred when devotees attempted to seek blessings and collect soil from around the preacher’s feet, prompting intervention by security personnel. This resulted in a chaotic situation where several individuals fell and suffered injuries.