Hathras Stampede: Key Accused with Political Ties Arrested; Rahul Gandhi Visits Victims’ Families, Urges Increased Compensation
New Delhi: The Uttar Pradesh government has intensified its investigation into the tragic Hathras stampede, arresting several key individuals allegedly involved in the incident that claimed 121 lives. The primary suspect, Devprakash Madhukar, was apprehended from Najafgarh in Delhi on Friday night. Alongside Madhukar, two other individuals, Ram Prakash Shakya and Sanju Yadav, were detained on Saturday, bringing the total number of arrests in the case to nine.
Madhukar, 42, is accused of organizing the event without adhering to the necessary procedures, including the collection of donations unlawfully. According to the police, Madhukar was a close associate of Suraj Pal, the self-styled preacher known as Bhole Baba, around whom the tragic event unfolded. Madhukar played a significant role in garnering support for Bhole Baba in various towns and villages.
The stampede occurred when an overwhelming number of Bhole Baba’s devotees rushed to collect dirt around his feet, far exceeding the permitted limit of 80,000 attendees. This led to chaos and the tragic loss of lives. Preliminary investigations suggest that Madhukar and his team mishandled the situation, contributing significantly to the disaster.
In addition to Madhukar, Shakya, and Yadav, six other individuals, including two women, were arrested on Thursday. The police have also launched a thorough investigation into the funding sources of Suraj Pal’s activities and potential connections to political parties.
At a press conference on Saturday, Superintendent of Police Nipun Agarwal stated, “The accused Dev Prakash Madhukar had a long association with the organization holding the satsang and was involved in raising funds. It was revealed during interrogation that Madhukar had contacted a few political parties.”
Meanwhile, prominent political figures are addressing the aftermath of the tragedy. Rahul Gandhi visited the families of the victims, urging the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh to provide increased compensation. Accompanied by Congress leaders Ajay Rai, Avinash Pande, and Supriya Shrinate, Gandhi emphasized the need for justice and adequate support for the affected families.
The ongoing investigation seeks to uncover further details regarding the organizational failures and potential political influences that contributed to this tragic incident.
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