Kumbh Mela Stampede: Allahabad HC Directs Decision on Victim’s Husband’s Compensation Claim in 30 Days

The Allahabad High Court has directed the Commission of Inquiry and the Kumbh Mela Authority to finalise, within 30 days, the compensation claim of a man whose wife died in the stampede during the Mauni Amavasya bathing day at the Kumbh Mela on 29 January 2025.

The direction was passed by a division bench of Justices Ajit Kumar and Swarupama Chaturvedi while hearing a writ petition filed by Uday Pratap Singh, who sought compensation from the State for the death of his wife in the incident that claimed the lives of several devotees.

According to the petitioner, the stampede occurred on one of the most crowded days of the Kumbh Mela, which was organised by the Uttar Pradesh government. He submitted before the court that following the death of his wife, he had appeared before the District Magistrate, furnished all required documents, and had been examined in support of his claim for compensation.

The petitioner further stated that he was subsequently required to appear before a Commission of Inquiry constituted by the State government to probe the stampede of 29 January 2025. The Commission was set up to examine the circumstances leading to the incident and to identify the victims who lost their lives in the crowd crush.

Appearing for the State, Senior Advocate and Additional Advocate General Manish Goyal informed the court that the petitioner’s statement had already been recorded by the Commission on 17 December 2025. He submitted that the question of compensation was under active consideration and that a decision would be taken soon.

The State further explained that the inquiry into the stampede deaths was being carried out jointly by the Commission and the Mela Authority. It was argued that the Commission had been granted an extension of time to submit its final report because several dependents and family members of the deceased victims had approached the authorities after a considerable delay. As a result, additional time was required to record their statements both at the level of the Mela Authority and before the Commission.

The State justified the extension granted to the Commission, submitting that it was in the larger public interest to ensure that no genuine claimant was left unheard merely because of delay in approaching the authorities.

The bench noted that earlier, on 6 June 2025, it had passed a detailed order directing the concerned authorities to file personal affidavits in the matter. Court recorded that those affidavits had since been filed.

However, the bench observed that at the present stage, it was necessary to ensure that the petitioner’s claim for compensation was brought to a logical conclusion without further delay.

Accordingly, court directed both the Commission of Inquiry and the Mela Authority to finalise the petitioner’s claim for compensation within a period of 30 days from the date of the order.

Court further directed the Additional Advocate General appearing for the State and the Mela Authority to place on record, by the next date of hearing, the decision taken in respect of the petitioner’s compensation claim.

The bench made it clear that if a compliance affidavit was not filed within the stipulated time, court would be compelled to take a serious view of the matter. The case has been listed for further hearing on 18 February 2026.

Case Title: Uday Pratap Singh vs. State Of U.P. And 3 Others

Order Date: January 8, 2026

Bench: Justices Ajit Kumar and Swarupama Chaturvedi