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Synopsis

Following the death of over 120 people at a stampede in Hathras on July 2, 2025, a plea has been filed in the Supreme Court immediately to appoint a five-member expert committee under the supervision of a retired Supreme Court judge to enquire into the incident and also direct it to suggest guidelines to avoid such occurrences.

The petition filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari also sought a direction to the Uttar Pradesh government to submit a status report in Hathras stampede incident and also to initiate legal action against the people and authorities and officials for their negligent conduct.

It also sought directions to all the state governments and framing of guidelines to prevent stampede or other incidents for the safety of public in organising any religious events or other events where a large number of public gatherings are expected.

As many as 121 people have so far reported to have died during the religious congregation on July 2 in Hathras.

The petitioner, who is a practising advocate of the Supreme Court, made all the States and Union Territories and the Union government as respondents to the petition.

The petitioner said the plea was filed under Article 32 of the Constitution to enforce the fundamental rights, particularly the right to life which is enshrined under Article 21, to avoid such stampede incidents and to determine and initiate assessment to ensure safety, viability etc.

Listing out such incidents of stampedes since 1954, the plea contended those have happened due to utter lapse and negligent actions of the state governments.

"The probe initiated in every incident has never been finished on a time bound frame with no constructive report and investigation to find out the culprit and the reasoning behind such lapse, failure and negligent functioning," it said.

It also claimed such incident prima facie depicted serious lapse, and negligence towards the public by the government authorities.

"It has come out that there was no adequate security facilities and arrangements to avoid and prevent such unexpected accidents. The priest/Baba who organised the event is missing and it is not known about his whereabout, he has gone underground. Several questions have been raised on the administration and police arrangement. There was not any medical arrangement to face any such emergency situation neither adequate measures were taken to prevent such horrific incidents. Whenever such incidents happens mostly the common and poor people becomes the victims," the plea said.

Cause Title: Vishal Tiwari Vs Union of India