A judicial commission investigating the deadly Hathras stampede has given a clean chit to Bhole Baba, holding the police and event organizers responsible for the chaos that claimed 121 lives.
What the Report Says
The commission’s report highlights police negligence and the organizers’ mismanagement as the main reasons behind the tragedy at the satsang in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras. Despite overseeing an event with thousands in attendance, authorities failed to ensure basic crowd control measures, leading to disaster.
The commission has recommended stricter enforcement of event permissions, regular site inspections by police, and firm action against violations to prevent such incidents in the future.
The Aftermath
Following the tragedy, the UP government had set up a three-member judicial commission, led by a retired High Court judge, to investigate possible conspiracies behind the incident. While Bhole Baba has been exonerated, key organizer Devprakash Madhukar and ten others were arrested under serious charges, including culpable homicide and hiding evidence.
Who is Bhole Baba?
Narayan Sakar Hari, popularly known as Bhole Baba, is a self-styled godman from Western UP. Dressed in a white suit and tie, he preaches about devotion and detachment from materialism. Reports suggest he once worked in a government intelligence agency before quitting in 1990 to embrace spirituality.
Bhole Baba’s influence isn’t limited to his devotees—his political ties are well known. Several leaders, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, have been spotted at his events.
Unanswered Questions
While the commission’s findings absolve Bhole Baba, the families of the 121 victims are left wondering—who will be held accountable for their loss? If not the man leading the satsang, then who truly bears the burden of this catastrophe?
