The Uttar Pradesh government which formed a judicial inquiry commission to ascertain the factors and circumstances that led to the stampede at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj on January 29 told the Allahabad High Court on Monday (February 24, 2025) that it has expanded the scope of the commission to inquire into loss of lives and property in the stampede. Over 30 people died in the stampede on January 29.
The State government constituted the three-member commission under the chairmanship of Justice Harsh Kumar, a former judge of the Allahabad High Court. Besides the task of ascertaining what led to the stampede, the commission was also asked to give suggestions to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future.
The State made the submissions before the bench of Chief Justice Arun Bhansali and Justice Kshitij Shailendra. The bench, while hearing a PIL pertaining to the Kumbh stampede, moved by Advocate Suresh Chandra Pandey, in the past, had asked the government to broaden the commission’s scope.
As per the letter issued by the U.P. Principal Secretary Sanay Prasad on February 22, the commission will now also inquire into the loss of life and property, “if any”, caused by the stampede in the Mela area during Mauni Amavasya on January 29.
“Considering the gravity of the matter, after further deliberation, the Governor, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section-3 of the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952 (Act No. 60 of 1952) hereby expands the scope of inquiry…,” the letter by the Principle Secretary reads.
The government also informed the court that the commission will also inquire into the coordination of the Mela administration and the district administration with the Health Services administration regarding the loss of life and property in the stampede.
The State has also extended the tenure of the judicial commission by one month.
