By Rajesh Pandey
The Allahabad High Court on Thursday directed the advocate representing a PIL petitioner, who sought the formation of a Judicial Monitoring Committee (JMC) to collate details of persons missing after the stampede at Maha Kumbh (Prayagraj) on January 29, to bring on record all the relevant materials being relied upon for the case. Accordingly, the court fixed February 19 for the next hearing of the PIL.
A division bench of Chief Justice Arun Bhansali and Justice Kshitij Shailendra told the petitioner’s advocate that it could call upon the state government only if there is some material on record.
Further, the petitioner also requested time to present newspaper reports and social media videos related to the incident. Following this request, the court posted the matter for a hearing on February 19 as fresh.
During the hearing of the PIL filed by one Suresh Chandra Pandey, the petitioner’s counsel submitted that while the state government talks about superior technology being used in the Maha Kumbh 2025, where they give real-time information regarding how many people took a dip, it still took them eighteen hours to come up with casualty numbers.
He also argued that the Judicial committee formed by the state government has a limited role. It will only determine the causes of the stampede and how to control it in the future, and there is no indication as to whether it will collate details of the persons who died or went missing after the stampede.
Further, the bench was also apprised that there are reports that the dead bodies have been kept in inhumane conditions, and it is not clear as to what the state has made arrangements to ensure that the Rights and dignity of the deceased are protected.
It may be noted that in his PIL plea, the petitioner has referred to specific reports suggesting that the bodies of the stampede victims are being stored in appalling conditions. They are reportedly left on the floor, wrapped in gunny bags, with no provisions for refrigeration, leading to decomposition.
The stampede occurred in the early hours of January 29, reportedly killing 30 -39 persons. The affected area was the Sangam holy dip point.
The UP Government has formed a three-member judicial commission, chaired by retired Allahabad High Court judge Justice Harsh Kumar, to probe the January 29 stampede. The panel has invited people to provide information regarding the incident.
