Hathras Stampede: Cannot rule out 'big conspiracy,' says SIT report

A local SDM a circle officer and four others were suspended on Tuesday based on the SIT report on the Hathras stampede The report did not rule out a big conspiracy behind the incident reported PTIThe SIT report highlighted lapses on part of the local administration that led to the incident on July 2The report held the organisers responsible for the stampede and claimed that they did not make arrangements to manage the crowd It also fixed the responsibility of administration according to official sourcesAccording to the report the local police and administration did not take the event seriously and failed to provide proper information to senior officersThe investigation committee found the event organisers and the tehsillevel police and administration guilty It said the local SDM circle officer tehsildar revenue official inspector and outpost in charge were guilty of negligence in discharging their duties reported PTIIn its preliminary investigation the SIT has held the event organisers primarily responsible for the stampede on the basis of eyewitnesses and other evidence The SIT did not rule out any big conspiracy behind the incident and has stated the need for a thorough investigation officials said reported PTIThe SubDistrict Magistrate of Sikandrarau granted permission for the event without inspecting the venue and did not even inform the senior officials the report said adding the official did not take the event seriouslyThe SIT recommended action against the concerned officials posted in Sikdanararau including the SDM circle officer SHO Sikandrarau police station tehsildar and police outpost in charge of Kachora and PoraThe organisers took permission to organise the programme by hiding facts The conditions applicable for permission were not followed The organisers did not make adequate and smooth arrangements by inviting an unexpected crowd Nor were the conditions of permission given by the local administration for the program followed the SIT report saidPeople associated with the organising committee have been found guilty of creating chaos it said adding that they engaged volunteers without proper police verificationThe organising committee misbehaved with the police An attempt was made to stop the local police from inspecting the event venue it saidThe Satsangkarta or preacher bhole baba was allowed to meet the crowd without any security arrangements it said Given the huge crowd no barricading or passage arrangements were made and when the accident occurred the members of the organising committee fled from the spot it addedThe SIT comprised Additional Director General of Police Agra Zone Anupam Kulshrestha and Aligarh Divisional Commissioner Chaitra V It was formed immediately after the stampede The SIT inspected the incident site on July 2 3 and 5During the investigation statements of 125 people including administrative and police officials the general public and eyewitnesses were recordedAdditionally copies of news published in connection with the incident onsite videography photographs and video clippings were taken into cognisance said the PTI reportA separate judicial commission is also probing the Hathras stampede case It is headed by retired Allahabad High Court judge Brijesh Kumar Shrivastava and retired IPS Hemant RaoSo far nine people including key accused Devprakash Madhukar have been arrested in connection with the stampedeMadhukar was the main organiser and fundraiser of the July 2 satsang of Bhole Baba at Phulrai village