Indian authorities suspend government officials for negligence in connection with deadly stampede – JURIST

The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday suspended six police officers and government officials for their negligence and omissions that led to the deadly stampede in Hathras district. according to local media.

The decision came after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) submitted its report on the July 2 incident. According to Indian media reports, the SIT blamed the organisers for the stampede, saying they were negligent and failed to make arrangements to control the crowd. The report also found that local law enforcement agencies and the administration did not monitor the situation carefully and failed to convey relevant information to the higher-ups.

On July 2, 2024, a stampede occurred after the conclusion of a Hindu religious event in Hathras district of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The stampede left over 120 people dead, mostly women and children, and at least 150 others seriously injured. The incident sparked unrest, demands for accountability, and reservations about the authorities’ actions. On July 7, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced that the state government would initiate a judicial inquiry into the incident.

The SIT submitted its report to the Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday. Based on the investigations and actions taken so far, the SIT also concluded that it does not rule out the possibility of a major conspiracy behind the incident and stressed the importance of a thorough investigation, Indian media reported.

In India, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) is formed to investigate serious crimes when existing forces are insufficient to complete the investigation. The Supreme Court of India, the Union Government of India and any State Government have the power to issue directions to the personnel assigned to a case.