On July 2, in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, a stampede resulted in Devprakash Madhukar, the primary suspect, being taken into 14 days of judicial custody. The police apprehended him from Najafgarh in Delhi last Friday. On Saturday afternoon, he was subjected to a medical examination at the Baghla District Joint Hospital in Hathras. Reportedly, prior to his arrest, Madhukar sought help from various political parties, although their identities have not been disclosed.
Superintendent of Police Nipun Agarwal disclosed that Devprakash Madhukar was in charge of collecting funds for the events of self-styled saint Surajpal Singh Jatav, also known as Narayan Sakar Hari or Bhole Baba. He was responsible for gathering donations. "His financial transactions and call records are under scrutiny," Agarwal stated. His lawyer, AP Singh, claimed Madhukar surrendered to the Delhi police voluntarily.
Lawyer SP Singh asserted in a video on Friday night, "Devprakash Madhukar, named the main organizer in the Hathras case FIR, has conceded. We have called the UP Police, SIT, and STF to Delhi, as he is undergoing treatment here. We have promised not to seek bail in advance since we have done nothing wrong. What is our crime? He's an engineer with a heart condition.",
Police can now record his statement or interrogate him, but must consider his health status and ensure no harm comes to him. The Uttar Pradesh Police had announced a reward of Rs. 1 lakh for information leading to Madhukar's arrest. On July 3, a Supreme Court lawyer claimed to represent Surajpal aka Narayan Sakar Hari aka Bhole Baba as well, sharing that certain unsocial elements were behind this tragedy.
Source: aajtak
Sources close to the police say that Madhukar was Bhole Baba's primary aide, overseeing the organization of his satsangs and fundraisers. Political connections of Baba with several parties suggest he received significant contributions. Police are also probing this angle. Madhukar's background and assets are currently under investigation.
Madhukar is a resident of the village of Majra Salempur in Hathras district. In 2008, he started working as a technical assistant in the MGNREGA program in Etah district with a monthly honorarium of Rs. 11,000. With such meager earnings, it's tough to provide for a family, yet Madhukar's lavish lifestyle suggests otherwise. He owns several opulent homes, from rural to urban locales.
After the incident, six people, including two female volunteers from the organizing committee of Bhole Baba's satsang, have been arrested. An FIR under various sections of the Indian Penal Code has been filed concerning this incident. The judicial investigation into the accident is ongoing.
On July 2, during a satsang in the Sikandra Rao area of Hathras district, a stampede resulted in the deaths of 123 individuals. The event was in honor of Narayan Sakar Vishwa Hari aka Bhole Baba. Once a police officer in UP, Bhole Baba landed in jail over a sexual abuse case. Post release, he left his job and turned to preaching as a Baba.
His satsangs, known as 'Manav Mangal Milan Sadbhavana Samagam' attract millions from across the country, including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi. He's been entangled in controversies before. During the pandemic, organizers faced accusations for gathering crowds beyond permitted limits. In 2022, a Satsang in Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh, took place despite restrictions, allowing only 50 attendees, yet fifty thousand people participated. According to former UP DGP Vikram Singh, Bhole Baba has half a dozen cases against him, including sexual abuse.
