UP govt forms 3-member judicial panel to probe Hathras stampede

Retired IAS officer Hemant Rao and retired IPS officer Bhavesh Kumar Singh have been appointed as members of the inquiry commission

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government has set up a three-member Judicial Inquiry Commission under the chairmanship of retired Justice Brijesh Kumar Srivastava (II) of Allahabad High Court to investigate the July 2 Hathras stampede, in which at least 121 died.

A notification in this regard was issued by Governor Anandiben Patel late on Wednesday night. Retired IAS officer Hemant Rao and retired IPS officer Bhavesh Kumar Singh have been appointed as members of the inquiry commission.

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The headquarters of the commission will be located in Lucknow. The commission is tasked with completing its investigation within two months from the date of the notification.

According to an official release, any extension of this duration will require an order from the State government. The commission will investigate the prescribed points and submit the report to the State government.

The prescribed points for the probe include investigating 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.