Supreme Court Petition Filed After Maha Kumbh Stampede Tragedy
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Synopsis
A PIL has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking accountability from officials following the Maha Kumbh stampede that resulted in 30 deaths and injuries to 60 others, highlighting systemic failures in crowd management and event safety.
Key Takeaways
- PIL filed against officials for negligence.
- 30 fatalities and 60 injuries reported.
- Calls for better crowd management at events.
- Historical context of previous stampedes.
- Responsibility of states emphasized for event safety.
New Delhi, Jan 30 (NationPress) In the wake of the devastating stampede at the Maha Kumbh, where at least 30 individuals lost their lives and approximately 60 others sustained injuries, a public interest litigation (PIL) has been submitted to the Supreme Court, calling for legal measures against officials and authorities for their “negligent conduct”.
The petition underscores that this incident illustrates the dire circumstances faced by individuals due to administrative lapses, negligence, and a significant failure of duty exhibited by government bodies.
In addition to “failure to maintain and supervise”, the plea asserts that the authorities also neglected to manage the overwhelming crowd present at the event.
“From the 1954 Kumbh Mela stampede to the recent Maha Kumbh 2025 stampede in Uttar Pradesh resulting in 30 fatalities and numerous injuries, it is evident that there has been no substantial change in the administrative response to prevent such tragedies through appropriate care and infrastructure development,” the petition stated.
The document also points to recurring reports of casualties caused by overcrowding and inadequate management by municipal authorities, emphasizing that with each incident, “we have failed to learn from history”.
Given that the Kumbh is one of the most significant religious gatherings in the country, the petition insists it is the collective duty of all states to ensure the safety and secure attendance of their residents.
“Every state must take action to provide proper facilitation, security, medical support, transportation, and other necessary services for individuals attending the Maha Kumbh. In these situations, it is often the common and vulnerable people who suffer the most,” it stressed.
“This tragic stampede raises numerous questions regarding the responsibilities and negligence of both the State Government and Municipal Corporations,” it added.
Similar stampede incidents have occurred at various religious festivals, the petition noted. It urged that the Uttar Pradesh government be mandated to submit a status report on the Maha Kumbh 2025 stampede and to initiate legal proceedings against the negligent officials and authorities.
