Kumbh Stampede Inquiry Commission to Expand Scope: UP Govt. Tells Allahabad HC

Introduction

The Uttar Pradesh government has informed the Allahabad High Court that the judicial inquiry commission set up to investigate the tragic Kumbh Mela stampede in Prayagraj on January 29 will now also examine the loss of life and property. Initially, the three-member commission was tasked with analyzing the factors and circumstances that led to the disaster, which claimed over 30 lives and injured several others.

The development comes amid growing concerns over accountability, crowd management failures, and compensation for victims.

Key Highlights

📌 Event: Maha Kumbh Mela, Prayagraj
📌 Date of Stampede: January 29, 2025
📌 Casualties: Over 30 people dead, several injured
📌 Judicial Inquiry Commission: 3-member panel to investigate
📌 Expanded Scope: Now includes loss of life and property assessment
📌 Court Proceedings: UP government submitted a response to the Allahabad High Court

Background of the Incident

The Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj is one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, attracting millions of devotees. The stampede on January 29 occurred near a main bathing ghat, where a sudden surge of pilgrims resulted in chaos. Eyewitness reports suggested poor crowd control measures and lack of emergency response mechanisms, exacerbating the tragedy.

What Led to the Stampede?

🔹 Overcrowding beyond capacity at the bathing ghats
🔹 Poor coordination among security and event management authorities
🔹 Inadequate infrastructure to handle sudden surges of devotees
🔹 Failure of crowd control measures at key entry and exit points

Allahabad High Court’s Involvement

The Allahabad High Court took suo motu cognizance of the incident and asked the Uttar Pradesh government to provide details on:

✅ Steps taken for relief and rehabilitation of victims
✅ Compensation measures for affected families
✅ Findings of the judicial commission
✅ Responsibility of officials in crowd mismanagement

The UP government’s response to the court has now confirmed that the inquiry commission’s mandate has been expanded to include a comprehensive evaluation of property damage and loss of life.

Government’s Response & Future Course of Action

✔️ The judicial inquiry commission will investigate the circumstances of the stampede
✔️ Authorities to assess the monetary loss suffered by affected families
✔️ Government to review and enhance crowd control measures for future religious events
✔️ Accountability to be fixed for lapses in security and administration

Impact and Next Steps

With millions of devotees expected at future Kumbh Melas, the findings of this inquiry could set a precedent for improved event management and safety protocols. The Allahabad High Court is expected to monitor the developments closely and ensure that accountability is established.

Conclusion

The Kumbh Mela stampede has raised serious concerns about crowd management and public safety at large-scale religious gatherings. The Allahabad High Court’s intervention and the expansion of the inquiry commission’s scope indicate a step towards ensuring justice for the victims. The final findings of the commission will be crucial in shaping future safety measures for such grand events.