Organiser of religious event in India that turned into deadly stampede, killing 121 people, surrenders to police

Organiser of religious event in India that turned into deadly stampede, killing 121 people, surrenders to police
  • PublishedJuly 8, 2024

The chief organiser of an Indian preacher’s event where a stampede killed 121 people this week has surrendered to police, a lawyer for the preacher said.

Devprakash Madhukar was named a key suspect in an initial report registered by police under charges including attempted culpable homicide.

Police launched a manhunt after the event and announced a reward of 100,000 rupees ($1,775) for information leading to his arrest.

Police officers walk at the site where believers had gathered for a Hindu religious congregation.
Police officers walk at the site where believers had gathered for a Hindu religious congregation. (Reuters: Anushree Fadnavis)

The stampede among thousands of attendees is believed to have begun as the event, led by a Hindu guru known locally as Bhole Baba, was ending.

AP Singh, lawyer for self-styled godman Bhole Baba, said Mr Madhukar was the main organiser of the Hindu religious event on Tuesday, which was attended by about 250,000 people in a village in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.

District authorities had permitted an event of only 80,000 people.

Police said more than three times the permitted number of people attended the event and most of the victims were women.

“He has surrendered from Delhi. We are not seeking an anticipatory bail,” Mr Singh told reporters.

He denied any wrongdoing by the event’s organisers and said Mr Madhukar was getting medical treatment in a hospital after the stampede.

The preacher said on Saturday he was saddened by the incident and his aides would help the injured and families of the deceased.

“I have faith that anyone who created the chaos will not be spared,” he told Indian news agency ANI.

Authorities believe massive overcrowding, insufficient exits, bad weather and other factors may have contributed to the high death toll.

The event was held in a large tent in a village in Hathras district, located in Uttar Pradesh state, amid sweltering heat and high humidity.

Poor planning was another issue. Some 250,000 people turned up for the event, which was permitted for 80,000 and held in a muddy field.

Group of people stand under makeshift shelter
People take cover from the rain at the site of the stampede. (Reuters: Anushree Fadnavis)

As the preacher descended from the stage, officials said, devotees surged forward to touch him, causing chaos as volunteers struggled to intervene.

An initial police report suggested thousands of people then thronged toward the exits.

Many slipped on the muddy ground, falling and being crushed by the crowds.

Witnesses described further chaos as more devotees tried to follow the preacher as he left in his car.

His security personnel pushed the crowd back, causing more people to fall, according to officials.

SOURCE: ABCNEWS

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