Stampede at Hathras Religious Event: Six Arrested, Main Accused Prakash Madhukar Wanted

In Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, a tragic stampede at a religious event led to the arrest of six people. Aligarh Inspector General of Police, Shalabh Mathur, announced that a reward of Rs 1 lakh has been declared for the capture of the main accused, Prakash Madhukar. The incident resulted in 121 deaths, with all bodies identified and post-mortem procedures completed.

The six arrested individuals, including Rahbari Singh Yadav, Bhupendar Singh Yadav, Megh Singh, Manju Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, and Manju Devi, were part of the organizing committee and worked as ‘Sevadars’. They fled the scene when the stampede occurred. The police are also investigating if the incident was a conspiracy.

Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Police conducted a search operation at Ram Kutir Charitable Trust in Mainpuri for ‘Bhole Baba’, a self-styled godman who conducted the ‘satsang’ where the stampede took place. An FIR has been registered, but ‘Bhole Baba’ has not been named yet.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited the site and ordered a judicial probe. A three-member Judicial Inquiry Commission, led by Justice (retd) Brijesh Kumar Srivastava, will investigate the incident over the next two months and submit a report to the State Government.

The stampede occurred as devotees rushed to seek blessings and collect soil from around ‘Bhole Baba’s’ feet, leading to chaos when security personnel intervened.