'Baba' could've stopped crush, probe panel told

HATHRAS: Locals and eyewitnesses have blamed Surajpal Singh, alias Bhole Baba, for the stampede during his sermon that claimed 121 lives in Hathras last Tuesday. Recording for the first time their statements before the judicial commission formed by the state to investigate the incident, some of the 34 individuals testified that Bhole Baba's instruction to the gathering to collect the mud from his feet after the sermon caused a chaotic rush, leading to the stampede.
Dev Chaudhary from Hathras testified that the stampede started when Baba told the crowd to collect dust from his feet. He mentioned the lack of security and volunteers at the scene, saying, "Women were crying... There were no security arrangements or Baba's volunteers at the scene. Had he used the microphone to ask people to stop, the tragedy would not have been so severe."
Other eyewitnesses accused the 'sevadars (volunteers)' of "roughing up and pushing followers aside to clear the way for Bhole Baba's convoy". Brij Bihari Kaushik, another witness, blamed the "absence of adequate police force for the death toll" but was equally critical of the way the organisers' private security handled the situation.
The commission, led by retired Allahabad HC judge Brijesh Kumar Srivastav, scrutinised the incident by gathering statements and questioning witnesses. They probed the events leading up to the stampede, the situation at the site, and the facilities provided at the hospital for the injured and dead. They also examined roles of the administration and police in managing the incident and sought to identify those responsible.
Before recording statements, the commission - which also includes retired IAS officers Hemant Rao and Bhavesh Kumar - verified the witnesses' identities and affiliations. The inquiry covered the atmosphere at the scene, the sequence of events, and who might be responsible for the tragedy. Srivastav announced that a public notice would soon urge residents and witnesses to submit evidence and statements.
"We are assessing the entire incident. Site inspection is complete. We have checked the crowd capacity and collected relevant information. Statements are being recorded," Srivastav said. "During the probe, we will call whoever is required to make a statement on record. This also includes local authorities."