New Delhi, Feb 3 (PTI) – The Supreme Court on Monday declined to entertain a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking guidelines for the safety of devotees following the tragic stampede at Maha Kumbh on January 29, which claimed at least 30 lives and injured 60 others. Instead, the apex court directed the petitioner to approach the Allahabad High Court.
A bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar acknowledged the severity of the incident but maintained that the Allahabad High Court was the appropriate forum for addressing such matters. “It is an unfortunate incident, something which is of concern. But you go to the Allahabad High Court,” the bench stated.
Tragedy at Sangam During Mauni Amavasya
The deadly stampede occurred in the Sangam area of Prayagraj on Mauni Amavasya, one of the most sacred days in the Hindu calendar, drawing millions of devotees to the holy site.Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the Uttar Pradesh government, informed the court that a petition on the issue had already been filed in the Allahabad High Court and a judicial inquiry was underway. Given this, he argued, the Supreme Court need not intervene.
PIL Filed for Safety Measures
The PIL, filed on January 30 by advocate Vishal Tiwari, invoked Article 32 of the Constitution, seeking a writ of mandamus or other directives to establish safety regulations at religious gatherings like the Maha Kumbh. It argued that the fundamental rights of devotees under Article 21 (Right to Life) and Article 14 (Right to Equality) were at risk due to lack of proper crowd control measures.The petition urged the Centre and all states to collaborate on ensuring a secure environment for pilgrims. It proposed several key measures, including:
- State-specific facilitation centers in Prayagraj to provide safety information and emergency assistance.
- Multilingual signages and announcements to help pilgrims navigate safely.
- Dissemination of safety protocols via SMS and WhatsApp to keep attendees informed.
- Coordination between the Uttar Pradesh government and other states to ensure an adequate number of medical professionals at the event.
- Regulation of VIP movement, ensuring that public safety takes precedence over VIP protocols to prevent congestion.
Past Stampedes Highlight Urgent Need for Reforms
The PIL also referenced past tragedies at religious gatherings, underscoring the need for stronger preventive measures. Some major incidents cited included:- 1954 Prayagraj Kumbh Mela – Over 800 deaths due to overcrowding on a narrow bridge.
- 1986 Haridwar Kumbh Mela – Nearly 200 casualties from a stampede caused by restricted access.
- 2003 Nashik Kumbh Mela – 39 dead, 140 injured in a similar stampede.
- 2013 Allahabad Railway Station Stampede – 42 fatalities following the collapse of a footbridge.
Call for Accountability and Future Safety Measures
The petitioner further sought a status report from the state government on the January 29 stampede, alongside legal action against those responsible for negligence.With the Supreme Court declining to hear the case, all eyes are now on the Allahabad High Court, where the matter will be pursued further.