Even as allegations and counter-allegations flew thick and fast over the Hathras stampede that took place at a religious gathering of a self-styled godman leaving 121 dead, the Uttar Pradesh Police said on Saturday that it is probing the political connections of the main accused, Devprakash Madhukar, who was arrested from Delhi on Friday.
Speaking to media after the arrest, the Superintendent of Police (Hathras), Nipun Agarwal, said the accused used to collect funds for the satsang (religious gathering) of Bhole Baba, alias Narayan Sakar Hari, and that he had recently been in touch with several political parties for the same.
The real name of Bhole Baba is Suraj Pal who worked previously as a policeman in UP. He left the job in late 90s and rebranded himself as a godman, gaining millions of followers in U.P. and nearby States.
“During the investigation, he told us that some political parties had approached him in the recent past. We are probing if the arrangements for the religious gatherings were being funded by any political party. During the course of interrogation, we have found that a political party is trying to connect with him to gain political benefits,” said Mr. Agarwal.
The SP added that prima facie, the organisers were well aware that a stampede could take place at the venue if the crowd was left unattended.
“We have found that the organiser of the event only let the vehicle of the Bhole Baba to pass and then left the crowd to fend for itself. It was their [organisers’s] sole responsibility to manage the crowd at the venue and they failed to do that,” the police officer said.
Also Read: Who is ‘Bhole Baba’, the preacher linked to Hathras stampede tragedy?
He added that it is being probed whether the organisers had intentionally let the stampede take place, after being provoked by someone.
The police’s statement came days after political mudslinging started over the tragic stampede.
Earlier this week, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav had blamed it on the government and the administration. He also alleged that the State was hiding the death toll in the stampede to save its face.
Commenting on Opposition’s allegations, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said some people had a tendency to dig up politics in such tragic incidents. “Everyone knows with whom that gentleman [Bhole Baba] has a photo and who are his political connections... I think it is necessary to get to the bottom of it,” Mr. Adityanath had said, without naming the Opposition leaders.
Several BJP affiliates had posted online photos of Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav participating in a previous satsang of the self-styled godman.
Mr. Madhukar had fled from the spot after the incident in which hundreds lost their near and dear ones. The police had also announced a reward of ₹1 lakh on his head.
While the U.P. police claimed that it had arrested Mr. Madhukar from Delhi, his lawyer A.P. Singh claimed that his client had voluntarily surrendered.
Soon after the arrest of Mr. Madhukar, Bhole Baba also issued a video statement and urged his followers to have faith in god and the State government. He also asked his followers and volunteers to cooperate in the probe.
PTI adds:
Madhukar sent to 14-day judicial custody
Meanwhile, a magistrate court sent Madhukar to a 14-day judicial custody, officials said.
Besides, Sanju Yadav, another suspect who has been arrested in connection with the case, was also sent to jail for the same duration, they said.
“Devprakash Madhukar and Sanju Yadav were produced before the judicial magistrate’s court today and both were sent in judicial remand for 14 days,” Assistant Prosecution Officer Uma Shankar Yadav told reporters.
The APO said Ramprakash Shakya, who too has been arrested in the stampede case, would be produced in the court on Sunday since he was arrested after Madhukar and Yadav and has some police formalities pending.
