Devprakash Madhukar, main accused in the Hathras stampede tragedy that claimed 121 lives on July 2, has been arrested by Uttar Pradesh Police. Madhukar had reportedly fled to Delhi after the incident but was taken into custody by a Special Operations Group team from Hathras late last night near the Najafgarh area.
Although Madhukar’s lawyer, A P Singh, identified as the ‘mukhya sevadar’ of the ‘satsang’ event where the stampede occurred, is the sole accused named in the FIR lodged at Sikandra Rao police station.
Singh, addressing concerns about his client’s health, emphasised that Madhukar is willing to cooperate with the investigation and provide information about alleged “anti-social elements” involved in the event.
Uttar Pradesh Police had earlier announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh for information leading to Madhukar’s arrest.
UP Police have so far arrested seven satsang organizers, including two women, in connection with the stampede. Aligarh IG Shalabh Mathur said, “They all are members of the organizing committee and served as ‘Sevadars’.”
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed a judicial probe headed by retired High Court judge Brijesh Kumar Srivastava, along with two retired IAS officers. Additionally, Additional Director General of Police (Agra Zone) Anupam Kulshrestha is leading a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to compile a comprehensive report on the stampede.’Godman’ Bhole Baba says ‘deeply saddened’
What did Suraj Pal say?
Meanwhile, in a video message, Suraj Pal, also known as Narayan Sakar Hari, said that he remained distressed and asked people to keep faith in the government and the administration.
“I am deeply saddened by the incident of July 2. May God give us the strength to bear this pain. Please keep faith in the government and the administration. I have faith that those who created the chaos will not be spared. Through my lawyer AP Singh, I have requested the members of the committee to stand with the bereaved families and the injured and help them throughout their lives,” the ‘Baba’ said.