- February 1, 2025
‘What Went Wrong?’: Judicial Commission Begins Probe Into Maha Kumbh Stampede – News18
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A three-member commission, including retired high court judge Harsh Kumar, former DGP VK Gupta, and retired IAS officer DK Singh, has been formed to look into the causes of the mishap that led to the deaths of 30 people and left many others injured
Belongings of devotees seen lying at the Sangam following a stampede on Mauni Amavasya, during the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela, in Prayagraj, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (Pic/PTI)
“Why did the stampede happen if everything was in order?” This was the first question the judicial commission asked officials when they arrived in Prayagraj to investigate the tragic incident of January 29 during Mauni Amavasya at the Maha Kumbh.
A three-member commission, including retired high court judge Harsh Kumar, former DGP VK Gupta, and retired IAS officer DK Singh, has been formed to look into the causes of the mishap that led to the deaths of 30 people and left many others injured.
‘We will not delay’
“We know that people are waiting for answers, and we will not delay. Although we have a month to submit our report, we will try to complete the investigation as soon as possible,” said Justice Harsh Kumar, the chairman of the three-member probe commission.
Soon after landing in Prayagraj on Friday, the commission set up a temporary office and called a meeting with senior officials. Those present included Commissioner of Prayagraj Zone Vijay Vishwas Pant, Mela Officer Vijay Kiran Anand, ADG Prayagraj Zone Bhanu Bhaskar, and DIG Vaibhav Krishna. The commission asked officials about the arrangements made to manage the large crowds and whether the administration had anticipated such a huge gathering.
Was Sangam the only affected area?
UP government sources said that one of the main points discussed was the security measures taken to ensure smooth crowd movement. The commission asked whether officials had any information about incidents happening outside the Sangam area and if there were similar incidents of stampedes elsewhere. The members also questioned the authenticity of videos circulating on social media, some of which claimed that stampedes had occurred in other parts of the city, including Jhusi.
Sources said that the commission asked for all CCTV footage from the day of the incident as well as a detailed report on how the administration planned to control the crowd and what steps were taken when the situation started getting out of hand. The sources added that officials struggled to give clear answers while some bragged about the top-notch arrangements at the Mela area. However, the self-praise failed to convince the commission, and it asked how a stampede could have happened if everything had been well-planned.
According to a government notification, the judicial commission has been tasked with investigating the causes and circumstances that led to the stampede and recommending measures to prevent such incidents in the future. The notification also specifies that the commission must submit its report within one month of its formation.
As the commission continues its investigation, it has announced that it will visit the actual site of the stampede to assess the situation firsthand. The members plan to speak to witnesses and survivors to understand exactly what went wrong. The final report will not only identify mistakes but also suggest measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
UP CM announced judicial probe
Announcing the judicial probe, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath stated, “Such incidents serve as lessons for us. We are committed to uncovering the root causes of this tragedy. Despite conducting multiple reviews and maintaining strict vigilance at the local level, this unfortunate event still occurred. That is why we have ordered a judicial inquiry—to find out what went wrong and ensure that such a disaster does not happen again.”
Several opposition leaders have accused the government of hiding the real number of casualties. Samajwadi Party president and former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav said, “Hiding the truth about such a disaster is a crime. The government is spending thousands of crores on publicity, but why is it hesitating to help the victims?”
According to officials, the government has confirmed 30 deaths. More than 60 people were injured, many of them suffering fractures and other serious wounds. Some victims are being treated at a medical college in Prayagraj. Officials say that none of the injured are in critical condition, but a few may take weeks to recover. Many of those injured are from places like Deoria in UP, Bihar, and Delhi, and their families have been informed.
The Maha Kumbh is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, drawing millions of devotees who come to take a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. The Mauni Amavasya bathing ritual is considered one of the most auspicious occasions of the festival, attracting huge crowds.
This year, the number of visitors was exceptionally high, crossing 31 crore since the fair began. On January 29 alone, around 1.40 crore people participated in the holy bath.
UP govt promises better crowd management
State officials have promised that better crowd management will be implemented for upcoming events, especially the Basant Panchami Amrit Snan. UP DGP Prashant Kumar said, “We have learned from this incident and will take extra precautions. We have already visited the site and met the injured. Arrangements will be improved so that such an unfortunate event does not happen again.”
Chief secretary Manoj Kumar Singh also visited the injured in hospitals and stated that all necessary medical facilities have been provided. He added that the government is taking care of the families and ensuring that they receive proper assistance.
Trauma for pilgrims
For many pilgrims, the tragedy has raised concerns about safety at large religious events. While the Maha Kumbh is a deeply spiritual experience, the loss of lives in a stampede has left a shadow over the celebrations. Families of the victims are demanding accountability, and the findings of the judicial commission will play a key role in determining who was responsible for the lapses.
The commission’s report is expected within a month, and people are hoping that it will provide clear answers. Whether it leads to real change in how large gatherings are managed remains to be seen, but for now, the focus is on uncovering the truth behind this devastating event.
