“Allahabad High Court Seeks Detailed Crowd Management Plan for Mathura Amid Stampede Concerns, Questions Selective Demolitions”
By Rajesh Pandey
Taking judicial notice of recent stampede-like incidents and crowd crush situations in Mathura during religious and auspicious occasions—resulting in injuries and loss of life—the Allahabad High Court, on Tuesday, called upon the district administration of Mathura to clarify whether a comprehensive and effective framework for crowd and crisis management is presently in place.
While hearing a writ petition filed by Swami Shiv Swarupanand Ji Maharaj, the Bench of Justice Vinod Diwakar directed the authorities to place on record the strategies, governing principles, and operational mechanisms adopted for managing large congregations.
The Court specifically sought details on institutional preparedness, stakeholder sensitisation, and capacity-building measures, including training and awareness initiatives to prevent crowd-related disasters.
The petitioner has approached the Court to challenge the actions of the State Government and the Mathura Vrindavan Development Authority (MVDA), alleging that the demolition proceedings undertaken by the authorities are arbitrary, discriminatory, and indicative of a “pick and choose” policy.
It has been contended that although demolition orders were issued against 23 individuals for alleged unauthorised constructions, enforcement has been selectively carried out against the petitioner and a limited number of others.
In this context, the Court granted a final opportunity to the MVDA to file a comprehensive affidavit addressing several crucial aspects. The authority has been directed to furnish:
- The current status and action taken in respect of all 23 properties against which demolition orders have been passed;
- The number and particulars of properties identified or booked for unauthorised construction over the past five years; and
- The existing policy framework, statutory provisions, standard operating procedures, and administrative mechanisms have been formulated and implemented to regulate, prevent, and curb unauthorised constructions within its jurisdiction.
Expanding the scope of the proceedings, the Court observed that the significant influx of devotees to Mathura during festivals frequently results in hazardous overcrowding, thereby posing serious risks to public safety, particularly at sites of historical and religious importance.
The Court further noted that unauthorised constructions exacerbate such risks by impeding access for emergency and rescue operations during critical situations.
Accordingly, the District Magistrate, Mathura, has been directed to disclose whether any expert body or specialised mechanism exists within the district to study crowd behaviour, ensure inter-agency coordination with clearly delineated roles and responsibilities, and implement scientifically informed methodologies for effective crowd management.
The Court has further directed all concerned authorities to specifically indicate whether any scientific studies, academic research, or institutional analyses have been conducted in relation to recent stampede-like incidents.
The affidavits must detail the scope, methodology, findings, and recommendations of such studies, along with the extent to which these have been considered or implemented by the district administration to prevent recurrence of similar occurrences.
Additionally, the Municipal Commissioner and the Senior Superintendent of Police, Mathura, have been directed to place on record the measures undertaken to ensure that the city remains safe, secure, and conducive to orderly public movement.
The matter has been directed to be listed for further hearing on May 19.
