Rahul Gandhi Leaves for Hathras Amidst Investigation; Bhole Baba has ₹100 Crore Property Under Investigation

Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, departed for Uttar Pradesh's Hathras district on Friday morning. His visit comes in the wake of a devastating stampede earlier this week that claimed the lives of 121 people, primarily women, during a religious event organized to honor preacher Bhole Baba.

Key Points

• Rahul Gandhi's Visit: Rahul Gandhi left for Hathras to meet the families of the victims of the stampede.
• Death Toll: 121 people, mostly women, died in the stampede.
• Arrests Made: Uttar Pradesh police arrested six members of the event's organizing panel.
• Missing Preacher: Bhole Baba has not been named in the FIR but may be questioned.
• Key Accused: Devprakash Madhukar, the main accused, is absconding with a ₹1 lakh reward announced for his capture.
• Overcrowding Issues: The event saw 2.5 lakh attendees against a permitted limit of 80,000.
• Legal Actions: An FIR has been lodged under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
• Inquiry Commission: The state government has set up a probe panel led by a retired Allahabad High Court judge.

• Wealth and Assets: Bhole Baba owns at least 24 ashrams, several luxury cars, and assets worth over ₹100 crore.
• Residence Details: Bhole Baba resides in a 21-bigha ashram in Mainpuri with six rooms reserved for him and his wife.

Detailed Summary

• Rahul Gandhi's Visit:
  • Rahul Gandhi departed for Hathras early Friday morning.
  • His visit aims to show solidarity with the families of the 121 people who died in the stampede.
  • The event was organized to honor preacher Bhole Baba and saw a significant turnout.
• Arrests and Missing Accused:
  • Six members of the organizing panel were arrested: Ram Ladaite (50), Upendra Singh Yadav (62), Megh Singh (61), Mukesh Kumar (38), Manju Yadav (30), and Manju Devi (40).
  • Bhole Baba, also known as Surajpal or Narayan Sakar Hari, has not been named in the FIR but may be questioned.
  • The police have searched his Mainpuri ashram but have been unable to locate him.
• Key Accused:
  • The main accused, Devprakash Madhukar, remains at large.
  • A ₹1 lakh reward has been announced for information leading to his capture.
  • Authorities plan to issue a non-bailable warrant against him.
• Overcrowding and Stampede:
  • The stampede occurred after Bhole Baba left the venue, causing a rush among his devotees to collect the dirt around his feet.
  • Preliminary reports suggest around 2.5 lakh people attended the event, far exceeding the permitted limit of 80,000.
• Legal Proceedings:
  • An FIR has been lodged under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, attempt to commit culpable homicide, wrongful restraint, disobedience to order, and causing disappearance of evidence.
  • The Uttar Pradesh government has established a probe panel led by a retired Allahabad High Court judge to investigate the incident.
  • The Congress party is demanding a judicial investigation by a retired judge.
• Bhole Baba's Wealth and Influence:
  • Bhole Baba owns at least 24 ashrams, several luxury cars, and assets worth over ₹100 crore.
  • He typically arrives at religious events in a convoy of 15-30 vehicles, with sevadars handling all aspects of security.
  • His Mainpuri ashram, named Hari Nagar, spans 21 bighas and includes six rooms exclusively reserved for him and his wife.
• Cooperation and Allegations:
  • Bhole Baba's lawyer has stated that the preacher will cooperate with the authorities.
  • The lawyer claims that the stampede was the result of a conspiracy by anti-social elements.
• Rahul Gandhi's Impact:
  • Rahul Gandhi's visit underscores the seriousness of the incident and the need for a thorough investigation.
  • His presence aims to bring justice to those affected by the tragedy.
  • The ongoing investigation focuses on uncovering the truth and ensuring accountability.