LUCKNOW: Surajpal, known as Bhole Baba, along with Narayan Sakar Hari, appeared before a three-member judicial commission on Thursday as part of the investigation into the deadly stampede during a religious gathering in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, on July 2, which resulted in at least 121 fatalities.
Bhole Baba was questioned for over two hours at the secretariat building. He provided affidavits from 1,100 attendees of the ‘satsang’ to clarify the circumstances leading to the tragic event.
According to his lawyer, AP Singh, “Bhole Baba is not involved in the incident. The special investigation team (SIT) has cleared him of any wrongdoing, and the judicial inquiry commission has reached the same conclusion. The commission has assured us that Bhole Baba will not be called for further questioning.”
Singh also alleged that Rajesh Yadav, a resident of Mughal Garhi village, was responsible for instigating the stampede, claiming that Yadav had threatened to disrupt the event if he was not appointed president of a local body. “We have provided this information to the authorities and the court. An FIR has been filed, and action is underway,” he stated.
