The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday suspended six police and government officials for their negligence and lapses that led to the deadly stampede in Hathras district, according to local media.
The decision followed the submission of a report by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on the incident that occurred on July 2. The SIT’s report indicated that the organizers were primarily responsible for the mishap, citing inadequate arrangements to manage the crowd. Furthermore, local law enforcement and administrative bodies were criticized for not supervising the situation effectively and failing to communicate necessary information to senior officers.
The stampede unfolded on July 2, 2024, following the conclusion of a Hindu religious event in Hathras district. The incident resulted in the tragic loss of more than 120 lives, predominantly women and children, and left at least 150 others seriously injured. In response to the calamity, there were demands for accountability and questions regarding the adequacy of measures taken by authorities. On July 7, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced the initiation of a judicial probe into the incident.
The SIT reiterated the possibility of a substantial conspiracy behind the stampede and emphasized the necessity for a comprehensive investigation. A Special Investigation Team in India is formed to probe significant crimes when the existing force is deemed insufficient. Authorities such as the Supreme Court of India, the Union Government of India, and individual state governments have the authority to direct personnel involved in such cases.
For more detailed coverage on this incident, you can refer to the original article on JURIST – News.