New Delhi, Feb 3 (PTI): The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking specific safety guidelines for devotees attending the Maha Kumbh, following a tragic stampede in Prayagraj’s Sangam area that claimed at least 30 lives and left 60 injured.
A bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, along with Justice Sanjay Kumar, took note of the Uttar Pradesh government’s submission that a similar plea had already been filed in the Allahabad High Court. Acknowledging the gravity of the incident, the bench advised petitioner advocate Vishal Tiwari to pursue the matter in the High Court instead.
“This is an unfortunate incident. But you go to the Allahabad High Court,” the bench remarked while dismissing the PIL.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the Uttar Pradesh government, informed the court that a judicial inquiry had already been initiated into the matter.
The PIL was filed on January 30, a day after the tragic incident, which occurred during Mauni Amavasya, one of the holiest days in the Hindu calendar. Tiwari, in his petition under Article 32 of the Constitution, had urged the court to establish preventive measures to avoid stampedes and safeguard fundamental rights under Article 21, which guarantees the right to life and equality.
With the Supreme Court declining to intervene, the focus now shifts to the Allahabad High Court, where the matter will be examined further.
Last updated by a enewsx: