UP Govt Forms 3-Member Judicial Commission to Probe Hathras Stampede

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government has formed a three-member Judicial Inquiry Commission to probe the July 2 Hathras stampede in which 123 lives were lost.

Retired Justice Brijesh Kumar Srivastava (II) of Allahabad High Court will lead the judicial commission. A notification in this regard was issued by Governor Anandiben Patel on Wednesday night.

Retired IAS officer Hemant Rao and retired IPS officer Bhavesh Kumar Singh have been appointed as members of the inquiry commission, whose headquarters will be in Lucknow.

The commission is to complete its investigation within two months from the date of the notification. Any extension of this duration will require an order from the state government.

The judicial probe will investigate the organiser’s compliance with the conditions set for granting permission by the district administration. The commission will also investigate whether the incident was an accident, a conspiracy, or the result of another planned criminal act.

Additionally, the commission will examine crowd control and law and order arrangements by the administration and the police during the event, along with related aspects. It will also analyse the reasons and circumstances leading to the incident.

Furthermore, the commission will provide recommendations to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.