Category: Crime

Categories
Crime India News Politics

‘No systemic breach’: SC refuses to conduct retest of NEET exam

The bench said that directing a fresh NEET-UG exam for the present year would be replete with serious consequences for over 23 lakh students who appeared in this exam…reports Asian Lite News

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to cancel the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Under Graduate (NEET-UG) 2024 examination held on May 5, holding that there was no systemic breach in the exam.

A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said that at the present stage, there is an absence of material on record to lead to the conclusion that the result of the exam is vitiated or that there is any systematic breach.

It said the data on record is not indicative of a systemic leak of the NEET-UG question paper, which would indicate a disruption of the sanctity of the exam.

However, it acknowledged the fact that the leak of the NEET-UG paper took place at Hazaribagh and Patna and said that it is “not in dispute”.

The apex court also said that the report submitted by the government shows probe is on and the central agency indicates that material shows 155 students drawn from the exam centres at Hazaribagh and Patna appeared to be the beneficiaries of the fraud.

“The probe by the CBI, however, has not attained finality,” it added.

The bench also said that directing a fresh NEET-UG exam for the present year would be replete with serious consequences for over 23 lakh students who appeared in this exam.

“Ordering a re-exam will lead to disruption of the academic schedule, causing a cascading effect in the coming years,” the bench stated in its order.

As the bench started dictating order, it said there is an urgent need to provide certainty and finality to the dispute which has occurred and affected the careers of over 2 million students.

The order of the apex court came on a batch of pleas seeking direction to recall NEET-UG 2024 results and to conduct the examination afresh, alleging paper leakage and malpractices in the test held.

Aspirants had approached the top court and raised the issue of leakage of the question paper, awarding compensatory marks and anomaly in the NEET-UG.

NEET-UG examination, conducted by NTA, is the pathway for admissions into MBBS, BDS and AYUSH and other related courses in government and private institutions across the country.

The NEET-UG, 2024 was held across 4,750 centres on May 5 and around 24 lakh candidates appeared in it. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Budget allocation for rural development ministry up by 12%

Categories
-Top News Crime India News

14 Indians Rescued from Cambodian Scams

The Embassy said that it has been “actively rescuing” Indian nationals and has, in close cooperation with the Cambodian authorities…reports Asian Lite News

As many as 14 Indian nationals have been rescued from fraudulent job offers in Cambodia that lured them into cybercrime operations, the Embassy of India in Phnom Penh revealed on Saturday.

The Embassy said that it has been “actively rescuing” Indian nationals and has, in close cooperation with the Cambodian authorities, facilitated the rescue and repatriation of over 650 Indian citizens who had fallen victim to these scams.

“Most recently, the Embassy provided specific leads to the Cambodian Police, leading to the rescue of 14 additional Indian victims. These individuals are currently being cared for by an NGO working in coordination with Cambodia’s Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation,” it stated.

The Indian Embassy further said that it is in ongoing communication with the Cambodian officials, urgently requesting the expedited completion of necessary formalities to ensure the safe and timely repatriation of the 14 rescued Indian nationals back to India.

The Embassy added that it continues to closely monitor the situation and remains committed to protecting the welfare of Indian citizens in Cambodia.

“Indian nationals are advised to exercise extreme caution regarding any job offers in the country and to immediately report any suspicious activities to the Embassy in Phnom Penh,” the statement mentioned.

ALSO READ: New Zealand PM Vows Stronger India Ties

Categories
Crime India News Uttar Pradesh

2 killed as 12 coaches of passenger train derails in UP

ANI_20240718168

The incident happened between Motiganj and Jhilahi railway station under the jurisdiction of North Eastern Railway at about 2:37 pm….reports Asian Lite News

After the Kanchenjunga train mishap this year, which claimed 10 lives, another train accident happened on Tuesday when the Dibrugarh Express derailed near Jhilahi Railway Station in Gonda, where two people were killed and at least twenty sustained injuries.

The incident happened between Motiganj and Jhilahi railway station under the jurisdiction of North Eastern Railway at about 2:37 pm.

As many as 4-5 coaches of the train from the front got derailed. After getting the information, the medical team, along with senior officials from the Lucknow division of NER immediately rushed to the site.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday said that the injured have been taken to hospital and will be given proper treatment.

The UP CM stated that rescue and relief operations are underway. He also directed the officials to reach the spot immediately and expedite the relief work.

“The train accident in Gonda district is extremely sad. District administration officials have been directed to carry out relief and rescue operations on a war footing and to take the injured to the hospital on top priority and provide them with proper treatment. I pray to Lord Shri Ram for the speedy recovery of the injured,” UP CM Yogi Adityanath wrote in a post on X.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre over the derailment of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express in Uttar Pradesh, saying that it shows how rail safety has been compromised under the Modi government.

“Our single demand — The Kavach anti-collision system should be installed expeditiously on all routes across India to ensure enhanced safety measures and prevent accidents,” he said in a post on X.

“The derailment of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express in UP is yet another instance of how Modi government has systematically jeopardised Rail safety. Our deepest condolences to the families of the bereaved, and our thoughts and prayers are with the injured,” he added.

The Congress President also recalled the Kanchenjunga tragedy and said that the Railway Minister should take responsibility for the accidents.

“A month ago, 11 people lost their lives when a goods train collided with the Sealdah-Agartala Kanchanjunga Express. The Commissioner of Railway Safety has said that the accident was “waiting to happen” ! Failure of automatic signal, lapses at multiple levels in managing operations, and non-availability of critical safety equipment such as walkie-talkie with the loco pilot and train manager are some of the reasons cited for collision in the probe report,” he added in the post.

“PM @narendramodi and his Railway Minister, who leave no opportunity for self-publicity, must take direct responsibility of the massive lapses that have plagued the Indian Railways,” Kharge further said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday questioned the Central government over the safety and security of passengers after the Dibrugarh Express train derailed in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Lockheed Martin CEO calls on PM Modi in New Delhi

Categories
-Top News Arab News Crime

Omani brothers behind Muscat mosque attack, police confirm

Omani police said the perpetrators “were influenced by misguided ideas.”

Perpetrators of the shooting incident that targeted a Shi’ite mosque in Oman’s Wadi al-Kabir area near the capital Muscat were all Omani citizens, state news agency ONA reported.

According to statement released by Omani police, the accused were brothers and were killed in a shoot-out with security officers.

At least six people and more than a dozen were wounded in the attack. The deceased included four Pakistanis, an Indian and an Omani police officer.

Daesh (Islamic State) claimed responsibility for the attack in a rare operation in one of the most stable countries in the Middle East, the group said in a statement on Telegram on Tuesday.

According to police, the perpetrators “were influenced by misguided ideas.”

ALSO READ: 8 Indians rescued from oil tanker that sank off Oman coast

Categories
Crime India News Legal

Court recuses from hearing NIA’s death penalty plea for Yasin Malik

New Delhi: Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik being produced at the Patiala House court in a terror funding case, in New Delhi, Wednesday, May 25, 2022. A Special National Investigation Agency (NIA) is likely to pronounce the quantum of punishment awarded to Yasin Malik, who was convicted in a terror funding case a few days ago. (Photo: Qamar Sibtain/IANS)

The predecessor bench earlier has sought Yasin Malik’s response to NIA appeal, calling it a “rarest of rare case….reports Asian Lite News

Justice Amit Sharma of the Delhi High Court recused himself from hearing the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) appeal seeking the capital /death penalty for Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik in a terror funding case on Thursday.

The predecessor bench earlier has sought Yasin Malik’s response to NIA appeal, calling it a “rarest of rare case.

The appeal was listed for hearing on Thursday before the Division bench of Justice Prathiba M Singh and Justice Amit Sharma. While the matter was taken up, Justice Amit Sharma recused himself from hearing the matter. The bench listed the matter for August 9 before different bench of Delhi High Court.

In May 2023, the NIA moved Delhi HC challenging a Court order awarding life imprisonment to Yasin Malik, a separatist leader from J&K, in a terror funding case.

Earlier, predecessor bench of Justice Siddharth Mridul and Justice Talwant Singh had issued notice to Yasin Malik through Jail superintendent, as Yasin Malik is lodged in Tihar Jail. He was the sole respondents in the appeal, note the court.

The court had also issued notice on NIA application for condonation of delay in filing the appeal. The court also summoned a trial court record in the matter.

Appearing for the NIA, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta earlier submitted that Yasin Malik is responsible for killing four IAF personnel and kidnapping Rubaiya Sayeed.

He also submitted that four terrorists, who were released after the kidnapping, masterminded the 26/11 Bombay attacks.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta further submitted that accused Malik crossed over to Pakistan in 1980s to receive training in handling weapons. ISI helped him become head of JKLF.

NIA in its appeal, stated that if such dreaded terrorist are not given capital punishment only on the ground that they have pleaded guilty, then the same will result in complete erosion of the sentencing policy of the country and will result in creation of a device whereby such dreaded terrorist after indulging, waging and spearheading an “act of war against the state” would have a way out to avoid capital punishment

NIA in its appeal, further stated that the crime committed by such dreaded terrorists, due to their ‘act of war’, the nation has lost its valuable soldiers and have perpetrated irreparable damage not only to the family members of the soldiers but to the entire nation.

NIA also stated that the respondent/accused, over decades has been indulging and spearheading terrorist activities in the valey and with the help of dreaded foreign terrorist organisations, having interest in India, has been masterminding, planning, engineering and executing armed rebellion in the valey in an attempt to usurp the sovereignty and integrity of a part of India.

NIA in its appeal before Delhi HC, further stated that the offences committed by the respondent accused are ex-facie acts of “external aggression”, brazenly planned and executed by “acts of waging war against the nation,” whereby “internal disturbance” was created through raising and using trained armed militia within the state and by helping trained terrorist, raised in enemy states, to infiltrate the borders of India to participate and catalyse such internal disturbances.

Earlier on May 25, 2022, the trial court judge, while sentenced to life imprisonment to JKLF leader Yasin Malik in terror funding case, said, in my opinion, there was no reformation of this convict. It may be correct that the convict may have given up the gun in the year 1994, but he had never expressed any regret for the violence he had committed prior to the year 1994.

It is to be noticed that, when he claimed to have given up the path of violence after the year 1994, the government of India took it upon its face value and gave him an opportunity to reform and in good faith, tried to engage in a meaningful dialogue with him and, as admitted by him, gave him every platform to express his opinion, said NIA Judge Praveen Singh.

The crime becomes more serious as it was committed with the assistance of foreign powers and designated terrorists. The seriousness of crime is further increased by the fact that it was committed behind the smoke screen of an alleged peaceful political movement, added trial court.

The manner of the commission of crime and the kind of weaponry used in the crime led me to a conclusion that the crime in question would fail the test of rarest of rare case, NIA Judge Praveen Singh said.

The NIA court, while sentencing life imprisonment to Yasin Malik, also imposed a fine of above Rs 10 lakh.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment twice (one for waging war against the nation and one in UAPA Section 17 for raising funds for the terror act). (ANI)

ALSO READ: Mamata to meet Uddhav, Pawar for “political talks”

Categories
-Top News Crime India News

India bans SFJ for 5 more years

Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has threatened the shutdown of Delhi's IGI Airport on November 19

According to a notification issued by the Home Ministry, the SFJ has been found to be involved in activities that are prejudicial to the internal security …reports Asian Lite News

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday extended the ban on terrorist outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) by declaring it again an unlawful association for a further period of five years from July 10, 2024.

The Ministry extended the ban on SFJ under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, citing its involvement in “anti-national and subversive activities aimed at disrupting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India.”

According to a notification issued by the Home Ministry, the SFJ has been found to be involved in activities that are prejudicial to the internal security of India and public order, including supporting violent extremism and militancy in Punjab and elsewhere to carve out a sovereign Khalistan from Indian territory.

“Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-sections (1) and (3) of section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967), the Central Government hereby extends the declaration of the Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) as an unlawful association and directs that this notification shall, subject to any order that may be made under section 4 of the said Act, have effect for a further period of five years from 10th day of July, 2024,” reads the notification.

The notification alleges that the SFJ is in close touch with militant outfits and activists, and has been encouraging and aiding secessionist activities, including attempts to destabilise the government established by law.

The MHA has expressed concern that “if the SFJ’s activities are not curbed, it may escalate its subversive activities, propagate anti-national sentiments, and incite violence in the country.”

“The ban on SFJ comes into effect immediately and will remain in force for five years, unless revoked or modified by the government,” mentions the notification.

This move is seen as a significant step by the government to crack down on separatist and militant activities in the country.

Earlier, the MHA had issued similar ban against SFJ in 2019. (ANI)

ALSO READ: India pushes for better deal with France for Rafale jets

Categories
Crime India News Legal

India govt refutes Citigroup report on state of employment

Ministry of Labour and Employment asserted that such reports did not analyse all official data sources available in the public domain….reports Asian Lite News

The central government on Monday strongly refuted the recent Citigroup report put out on the state of employment in India and the outlook around it.

In a statement, the Ministry of Labour and Employment asserted that such reports did not analyse all official data sources available in the public domain.

The recent research report by Citigroup on employment in India, as per the Ministry, quoted widely in the media, forecast that India will struggle to create sufficient employment opportunities even with a 7 per cent growth rate. It failed to account for the comprehensive and positive employment data available from official sources such as the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) and the Reserve Bank of India’s KLEMS data, the Ministry added.

Citi estimated that India will need to create about 12 million jobs a year over the next decade to absorb the number of new entrants to the labour market. Based on a growth rate of 7 per cent, India can only generate 8-9 million jobs a year, the bank’s economists said in the report in contention.

The report asserted India will struggle to create enough jobs for its growing workforce over the next decade even if the economy grows at a rapid pace of 7 per cent. It posed questions on the quality of jobs being created in India.

“It is well known that the private data sources, which the report/media refers to as more reliable, has several shortcomings. These surveys use their own derived definition of employment – unemployment which is not aligned to either national or international standards. The sample distribution and methodology are often critiqued for not being as robust or representative as official data sources like PLFS. Therefore, reliance on such private data sources over official statistics can lead to misleading conclusions and thus, should be used with caution,” the ministry doubted data quoted in the said report.

According to PLFS and RBI’s KLEMS data, India has generated more than 8 crore (80 million) employment opportunities from 2017-18 to 2021-22, translating to an average of over 2 crore (20 million) employment per year. This, as per the government, contradicted Citigroup’s assertion of India’s inability to generate sufficient employment.

“This significant employment creation demonstrates the effectiveness of various government initiatives aimed at boosting employment across sectors,” the ministry’s statement read.

The Annual PLFS report depicted an improving trend in labour market indicators related to Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR), Worker Population Ratio (WPR) and Unemployment Rate (UR) for persons of age 15 years and above during 2017-18 to 2022-23.

The PLFS data shows that during the last 5 years, more employment opportunities have been generated compared to the number of people joining the labour force, resulting in a consistent reduction in the unemployment rate.

“This is a clear indicator of the positive impact of government policies on employment. Contrary to the report, which suggests a dire employment scenario, the official data reveals a more optimistic picture of the Indian job market,” said the Ministry.

Citing EPFO data, the ministry said more and more workers are joining formal jobs. During 2023-24, more than 1.3 crore subscribers joined EPFO which is more than double compared to 61.12 lakh joined EPFO during 2018-19. Moreover, during last six and half years (since September, 2017 to March, 2024) more than 6.2 crore net subscribers have joined EPFO.

The data from National Pension System (NPS) indicates that more than 7.75 lakh new subscribers have joined the NPS during 2023-24 under the Central and State governments which is 30% more than 5.94 lakh new subscribers joining NPS under government sector during 2022-23.

On new employment opportunities, the ministry asserted that the future prospects of the employment market in India are highly encouraging. The Global Capability Centers (GCCs) in India have shown remarkable growth in recent years, the gig economy also promises significant increase in workforce in the country. (ANI)

ALSO READ: India Should Press Russia on UN Charter, US Responds to Modi-Putin Meet

Categories
Crime India News Politics

6 bridges collapse in Bihar over last two days

Most of these bridges were thirty years old and the foundations were not very deep, officials said, adding that the foundation was damaged during de-siltation….reports Asian Lite News

A total of six bridges collapsed on the Gandak river in Bihar’s Siwan and Saran over the last two days, officials said on Thursday, blaming engineers and contractors for the back-to-back incidents.

Several projects, including the de-siltation of rivers, were initiated after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar took feedback in Gopalganj and adjoining areas. It seems that engineers did not take care and the contractors were not careful, officials said, adding, “Engineers concerned seem to be at fault prima facie.”

Special teams have been sent to the spot, and strict action has been taken against engineers and contractors, they said.

Officials further said that new bridges will be constructed and the cost of construction will be borne by the contractors concerned.

Most of these bridges were thirty years old and the foundations were not very deep, they said, adding that the foundation was damaged during de-siltation.

Notably, five bridges – in Araria, Siwan, East Champaran, Kishanganj, and Madhubani districts – have collapsed across the state in the last nine days.

The first incident of a bridge collapse was reported on June 18 in Araria. The latest one took place in Madhubani.The Madhubani incident came just a day after another bridge fell in Kishanganj district.

On June 22, a bridge over the Gandak River in Siwan, approximately 40-45 years old, also fell. On June 23, a bridge under construction in East Champaran, costing around Rs 1.5 crore, collapsed, with locals blaming the use of substandard materials.

Earlier this month, on June 18, a newly constructed bridge over the Bakra river in Pararia village of Bihar’s Araria district collapsed on Tuesday.

The bridge connecting Araria’s Sikhti and Kursakatta was washed away before its inauguration.

Last year in June, a portion of a temporary bridge built on River Ganga in the Vaishali district of Bihar was partly washed away by strong winds.

The temporary bridge connected Raghopur to the Vaishali District Headquarters. (ANI)

Plea in SC seeks audit of all bridges in Bihar

A petition has been moved in the Supreme Court seeking to issue direction to the Bihar Government to conduct the highest level structural audit of all existing and under construction bridges in the state and to demolish or retrofit weak structure depending of feasibility in the wake of bridge collapses in the state.

The petitioner and advocate Brajesh Singh, on Wednesday, urged the top court to issue directions to the Bihar Government to conduct the audit.

The petitioner said that the instant issue of bridge collapses in Bihar requires an urgent consideration of the top court as within two years, three major under-construction bridges and other several incidents of the collapse of the large, medium and small bridges happened.

He said that in the said unfortunate man-made incidents some people succumbed and others were injured adding that in the future other incidents may also happen due to the gross negligence of the government and the corrupt nexus of the contractors and concerned agencies.

“It is a matter of grave concern that in a state like Bihar, which is the most flood-prone state of India, the total flood-affected area in the state is 68,800 sq. km which is 73.06 per cent of the total geographical area. Hence such routine accrual of the incident of falling bridges in Bihar is more disastrous as the lives of people at large are at stake. Therefore the urgent intervention of this Hon’ble Court is required to save the lives of people, as the under-construction bridges before its accomplishment collapsed routinely,” the petitioner said.

The petitioner has also sought appropriate direction specifically from the State of Bihar for making proper policy or mechanism for real-time monitoring of the bridges constructed, old and under construction concerning the bridges falling exclusively under the domain of the respondent, the state of Bihar on the same analogy as developed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, vide dated March 4, 2024, for the preservation of National Highways and Centrally Sponsored Schemes and it was issued as a mandatory Guidelines vide, subjected, identification and implementation of real-time Health Monitoring of bridges using sensors to the states including the respondent.”

The petitioner has also sought to issue direction to respondents specifically Bihar for making an efficient permanent body through legislation or executive order, comprising high-level experts from the concerned field for continuous monitoring of all the existing and under-construction bridges in Bihar and also for maintaining the comprehensive database on the health of all existing bridges in the state.

The Public Interest Litigation has highlighted various bridge collapses mostly river bridges in Araria, Siwan, Madhubani, and Kishanganj districts among others in Bihar. (ANI)

ALSO READ: PM2.5 pollution killed 33,000 Indians, Delhi worst-hit

Categories
-Top News Asia News Crime

Nepal jails ‘Buddha boy’ for 10 years over child sex abuse

Earlier on June 24, the court had convicted Bomjan on the charges of child sex abuse…reports Asian Lite News

The Sarlahi District Court on Monday sentenced Ram Bahadur Bomjan, known as the “Buddha Boy,” to 10 years in jail and imposed a half-a-million fine for child sex abuse, court officials confirmed.

Dubbed “Buddha Boy” the controversial spiritual leader was arrested by the Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal from the outskirts of the capital Kathmandu and taken to Sarlahi on 10 January earlier this year.

“Single bench of Judge Jeevan Kumar Bhandari delivered verdict with a jail term of 10 years and a fine of (Nepali currency) Nrs 500,000,” Registrar Sadan Adhikari confirmed to ANI over the phone.

Earlier on June 24, the court had convicted Bomjan on the charges of child sex abuse.

Meanwhile, his two aides, Jit Bahadur Tamang and Gyan Bahadur Bomjan were acquitted in the same case.

The 34-year-old originally named Ram Lal Bomjan who since 2005 has been known as “Buddha Boy” or reincarnation of Gautam Buddha is charged with rape and forceful disappearance at various police stations in the Himalayan Nation.

Bomjan came to the attention of the public in 2005 after he claimed to meditate for months without food, water or sleep. Soon after his meditation was over he set up ashrams in Bara, Sarlahi, Sindhupalchowk and Sindhuli Districts.

Earlier in July 2020, the District Court in Sarlahi had registered a case of sexual exploitation filed by a minor female disciple (aged 15 at the time). As per the chargesheet, the incident took place at the ashram in Pattharkot, Sarlahi.

Soon after the filing of the complaint, the Police discovered that four of his disciples also had gone missing from his Ashram.

In June 2020, a joint team from CIB, Bagmati Provincial Police and District Police Offices in Kavre, Sindhupalchowk and Sarlahi conducted a raid at his ashram in Pairey, Sindhuli but could not locate him.

The victim accused Bomjan of rape at night on August 4, 2016. The minor also stated that she kept it hidden after receiving threats from Bomjan to not relay the incident to others otherwise would face the consequences.

Worshipped and regarded as the reincarnation of Gautam Buddha, Bomjan had a significant number of disciples but was on the run since early 2020 are complaint was filed against him for sexual exploitation by female disciples.

Apart from the sexual exploitation charges, the dubbed “Buddha Boy” also has been charged with the disappearance of five people- his disciples in different districts.

A local news portal, Setopati.com had reported the incident in a series that unearthed the incidents that took place inside the ashrams of the claimed spiritual leader. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Nepal: Oli’s party gives 24-hour ultimatum

Categories
Crime India News Politics

Congress demands law against ‘fake’ godmen

Speaking in Rajya Sabha, Kharge asserted that the tragedy in Hathras could have been avoided….reports Asian Lite News

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has called for a law to regulate religious congregations and curb the influence of “fake” godmen, following a stampede in Uttar Pradesh that claimed 123 lives on Tuesday.

Speaking in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, Kharge asserted that the tragedy in Hathras could have been avoided. “Karnataka and Maharashtra have enacted laws to strictly deal with the suspicious activities of fake godmen. We demand a similar law in Uttar Pradesh, which witnessed a tragic stampede on Tuesday. There should also be a statement from the home minister,” Kharge said.

The stampede occurred during a “satsang” (prayer meeting) conducted by self-proclaimed godman Narayan Sakar Hari, also known as Bhole Baba. He runs an “ashram” in Mainpuri, about 100 km from Fulrai village, where the event took place and drew at least 15,000 devotees.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Police conducted a search operation at Ram Kutir Charitable Trust in Mainpuri on Thursday for ‘Bhole Baba’.

An FIR has been registered on the incident naming organizers of the prayer meeting but ‘Bhole Baba’ has not been named yet.

Earlier in the day, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Mainpuri Sunil Kumar said “Baba has not been found inside the ashram.”

“There are 40-50 sevadars inside the ashram. He (‘Bhole Baba’) is not inside, neither he was yesterday nor he is today…” said DSP Mainpuri Sunil Kumar.

SP City Rahul Mithas said, “I had come to check the security of the ashram. Nobody was found here.”

The police force was deployed around the ashram today early morning.

On Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited the spot and ordered a judicial probe into the incident.

A three-member Judicial Inquiry Commission under the chairmanship of Justice (retd) Brijesh Kumar Srivastava has been constituted to ensure comprehensiveness of the subject matter and transparency in the inquiry, according to an official statement.

The Judicial Commission will investigate the various aspects of the Hathras stampede in the next two months and after the investigation, a report will be submitted to the State Government.

The preacher ‘Bhole Baba’ identified as Suraj Pal is also known by the names of Narayan Sakar Hari and Jagat Guru Vishwahari.

As per the prima facie report, the devotees rushed to seek blessings and collect soil from around the preacher’s feet, but were stopped by the security personnel of ‘Bhole Baba’. Later, they started pushing one another due to which several people fell to the ground, leading to chaos at the site.

Some people ran towards the adjoining field filled with mud, due to which they fell and were crushed by other devotees, the report stated. “The injured were taken to the hospital by the police and security personnel present at the site,” it further said.

Autopsies suggest asphyxia main cause in Hathras tragedy

Asphyxia due to compression was the primary cause of death for the Hathras stampede victims brought to the district hospital in Etah, a senior doctor stated.

The hospital performed an unusually high number of autopsies following the incident, news agency PTI reported.

On Tuesday, 27 bodies were brought to the Etah district hospital’s mortuary after the stampede at Phulrai village in Hathras, with the overall death toll reaching 121. Bodies were also sent to nearby hospitals in Aligarh and other areas.

“Of the 27 bodies brought here, post-mortems for 19 were concluded, while the mortuary staff prepared for the 20th autopsy around midnight,” said Etah’s Additional Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ram Mohan Tiwari. Six bodies remained unidentified.

“Asphyxia due to compression was found to be the cause of death in nearly all cases,” Tiwari noted, adding that most victims were women aged 40-50.

The hospital typically conducts four to five post-mortems daily. Tuesday’s count was significantly higher, prompting hospital staff and officials to work extended hours.

Regarding those undergoing treatment, Tiwari said four patients were admitted, with one discharged after primary aid. Two others are out of danger, and a pregnant woman is stable but still receiving treatment.

Police Circle Officer Sanjay Kumar Singh reported that 21 of the 27 bodies brought to the Etah hospital were identified by midnight. Once identified, the bodies will be handed over to families following due procedures.

The stampede, which mainly resulted in the deaths of women, occurred as the ‘satsang’ (prayer meeting) ended. Reports indicate that the stampede was triggered when people slipped in the slush while running after the preacher’s car. Tens of thousands of devotees had gathered in Phulrai village for the event.

ALSO READ: Hathras Incident: Putin Reaches Out to India with Condolences