Prayagraj, February 24:
The Allahabad High Court has directed that all deaths and missing persons related to the Mahakumbh stampedes on Amavasya will now be investigated by the judicial commission. The court made this decision after the government assured that the commission’s scope would be expanded to include all three incidents.
The bench, comprising Chief Justice Arun Bhansali and Justice Shailendra Kshitiij, delivered the order while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by former High Court Bar Association General Secretary Suresh Chandra Pandey. During the previous hearing, petitioner’s lawyer Saurabh Pandey had submitted a pen drive containing media reports and video footage as evidence, claiming that not just one but three separate stampede incidents occurred on Amavasya.
Concerns Over Missing Persons and Official Data
The petition highlighted that at the “Lost & Found” centers, families searching for missing relatives were asked to provide Aadhaar cards. In cases where Aadhaar was unavailable, the authorities allegedly refused to announce the missing persons’ names. Additionally, the PIL alleged that the government was underreporting the death toll. While officials claimed that only 30 people had died, reports suggested that the actual number exceeded 100. The petition called for a high-level probe under the High Court’s supervision, citing concerns over the government and administration’s handling of the tragedy.
High Court Dissatisfied with Government’s Response
During the hearing, Additional Advocate General Manish Goyal argued that a judicial commission had already been constituted to investigate the incident, making an additional high-level inquiry unnecessary. He stated that the commission would submit a report within a month, detailing the causes of the stampedes and recommending preventive measures.
However, the High Court was dissatisfied with the response, questioning how the government planned to trace the missing persons and verify the actual death toll. The court sought a detailed report on these aspects.
Government Expands Inquiry Scope
On Monday, the government revised its stance, informing the court that the judicial commission’s scope had been broadened. Previously, the commission was only investigating the cause of the Sangam area stampede and preventive measures. Now, it will examine all incidents across the Mahakumbh fairgrounds, including casualties and missing persons.
Following this assurance, the High Court disposed of the PIL, directing that the inquiry proceed as per the expanded mandate.
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