Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Six arrested in connection with Hathras stampede

Around 250,000 people had gathered to listen to preacher Suraj Pal Singh, also known as “Bhole Baba”

Six arrested in connection with Hathras stampede

INDIAN police said on Thursday (4) they had arrested six people overa stampede at a Hindu religious event in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh this week in which 121 people were killed.

The incident occurred on Tuesday (2) in the village of Phulrai Mughal Garhi in Hathras district where about 250,000 people had gathered to listen to preacher Suraj Pal Singh, also known as "Bhole Baba".


Organisers of the event had obtained permission for a gathering of only 80,000 people, an initial police report said.

Baba blamed the stampede on "anti-social elements", but did not elaborate.

The four men and two women arrested were aides to Baba who were involved in organising the event but fled when the stampede broke out, police said.

Asked about Baba's role, a senior police officer said the preacher was not named in the case they had registered.

"If there is a need, we will question (him) ... It is too early to say whether he had a role," Uttar Pradesh police Inspector-General Shalabh Mathur said.

A P Singh, Baba's lawyer, said he would also represent the six people who were arrested.

"Police are doing their job but the people they have arrested are people whose family members are victims of the stampede," Singh said. "Those who actually caused the stampede have run away."

The stampede broke out on Tuesday afternoon when attendees were exiting the canopied ground by a highway where the event was held, police said.

Several people ran towards the preacher's vehicle but were stopped by his aides, leading to commotion during which some of them fell to the ground and were trampled, officials said.

Others who tried to run to open fields to escape slipped on the uneven ground and fell in the path of the rest of the crowd.

Singh said Baba never asked anyone to touch his feet or gave anyone the dust touched by his feet, countering media reports that cited these as reasons for people running towards his vehicle.

The bodies of the dead, which included 112 women and seven children, were handed over to their families, officials said.

Rahul Gandhi, the leader of India's main opposition Congress party, plans to visit Hathras soon "and speak to the people who are affected", Congress officials said.

Stampedes are not uncommon at religious events in India that involve large crowds and are often poorly managed.

(Reuters)

More For You

Harshita Brella: High court blasts Delhi police inaction
Brella's body was discovered in the boot of a car in Ilford, east London, on 14 November. (Photo: Northamptonshire Police)

Harshita Brella: High court blasts Delhi police inaction

INDIAN authorities are under intense scrutiny after the Delhi high court criticised police efforts to locate Pankaj Lamba, the prime suspect in the murder of his wife Harshita Brella. The ongoing international manhunt has revealed a series of investigative failures, with the court describing the Delhi Police's approach as "utterly incompetent".

Brella was found dead in the boot of a car in Ilford, East London, in November 2024. Her husband was charged in absentia with murder, two counts of rape, sexual assault, and controlling behaviour shortly after her death.

Keep ReadingShow less
Streeting: Health deal signals new era in UK-India ties

Foreign Office minister Catherine West, health secretary Wes Streeting and equalities minister Seema Malhotra during the Holi Reception in London.

Streeting: Health deal signals new era in UK-India ties

THE recent health and life sciences agreement between the UK and India will strengthen cooperation on healthcare innovation and security in both countries, health secretary Wes Streeting said.

Speaking at the Holi reception organised by the 1928 Institute, who are the secretariat for the India All-Party Parliamentary Group, in London on Monday (24), he added that the contribution of British Indians has been pivotal in the growth of the NHS since its inception in 1948, and a robust partnership between the two nations will ensure we have a healthcare provider 'fit for the future'.

Keep ReadingShow less
british-steel-iStock

An aerial view of Steel Plant Industry in Scunthorpe. (Photo: iStock)

British Steel to shut blast furnaces, up to 2,700 jobs at risk

BRITISH STEEL, owned by Chinese group Jingye, confirmed on Thursday that it will shut down its blast furnaces and steelmaking operations in England, attributing the decision to market challenges, tariffs, and rising environmental costs.

The closures, first proposed in late 2023, could lead to the loss of up to 2,700 jobs at the company’s main UK site in Scunthorpe, northern England, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Keep ReadingShow less
Just Stop Oil

Just Stop Oil has garnered significant media attention with its direct action protests

Getty Images

Just Stop Oil ends direct action campaign after major policy success

The environmental activist group Just Stop Oil has announced an end to its disruptive direct action protests, declaring a significant victory in its campaign to halt new oil and gas developments. In a statement released by the organisation, the group confirmed it had successfully influenced government policy to abandon new fossil fuel exploration, marking a major turning point in the movement’s goals.

“Just Stop Oil's initial demand to end new oil and gas is now government policy, making us one of the most successful civil resistance campaigns in recent history,” the group’s statement read. It went on to claim responsibility for having kept over 4.4 billion barrels of oil in the ground, while legal victories in the courts have ruled new oil and gas licences unlawful.

Keep ReadingShow less
Newham fire station hosts iftar

Muslims, non-Muslims, and faith leaders attended the event

Newham fire station hosts iftar

Ruby Gregory

AN EAST LONDON fire station hosted an iftar for the first time last week.

Plaistow Fire Station in Newham opened its doors last Tuesday (18) to over 100 members of the community which observes Ramadan.

Keep ReadingShow less