Ai bot
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday declined to entertain a public interest litigation (PIL) requesting an investigation into the Hathras stampede, which claimed 121 lives. The bench, led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and including justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, advised the petitioner to approach the Allahabad High Court instead.
The court acknowledged the Hathras stampede as ‘disturbing’ but emphasised that high courts are well-equipped to handle these cases.
“Of course, these are disturbing incidents. This (filing of PIL) is usually done here to make a big deal of such incidents. The high court is equipped to deal with this case. Dismissed,” the bench said.
Lawyer and petitioner Vishal Tiwari argued that the lack of adequate medical facilities to address such incidents is a nationwide concern and that the Supreme Court could also address the PIL. However, the CJI rejected this submission and disposed of the PIL, instructing Tiwari to approach the Allahabad High Court.
The plea had sought the formation of a five-member expert committee, overseen by a retired Supreme Court judge, to investigate the stampede that occurred on July 2 during a religious gathering in Phulrai village, Hathras district.
The event, conducted by Baba Narayan Hari, also known as Saakar Vishwahari and Bhole Baba, gathered over 2.5 lakh devotees, despite only 80,000 being permitted.
The Uttar Pradesh Police has filed an FIR against the event organisers, alleging that they hid evidence and violated conditions by allowing a much larger crowd than permitted.
The court acknowledged the Hathras stampede as ‘disturbing’ but emphasised that high courts are well-equipped to handle these cases.
“Of course, these are disturbing incidents. This (filing of PIL) is usually done here to make a big deal of such incidents. The high court is equipped to deal with this case. Dismissed,” the bench said.
Lawyer and petitioner Vishal Tiwari argued that the lack of adequate medical facilities to address such incidents is a nationwide concern and that the Supreme Court could also address the PIL. However, the CJI rejected this submission and disposed of the PIL, instructing Tiwari to approach the Allahabad High Court.
The plea had sought the formation of a five-member expert committee, overseen by a retired Supreme Court judge, to investigate the stampede that occurred on July 2 during a religious gathering in Phulrai village, Hathras district.
The event, conducted by Baba Narayan Hari, also known as Saakar Vishwahari and Bhole Baba, gathered over 2.5 lakh devotees, despite only 80,000 being permitted.
The Uttar Pradesh Police has filed an FIR against the event organisers, alleging that they hid evidence and violated conditions by allowing a much larger crowd than permitted.
