Poisonous Substance Released in Crowd Led to Hathras Stampede, Claims Bhole Baba's Lawyer

Allegations of Conspiracy and Poisoning

In a shocking revelation, the lawyer of self-styled godman Bhole Baba has alleged that the deadly stampede that occurred during a religious gathering in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, was triggered by the release of a poisonous substance in the crowd.

AP Singh , Bhole Baba's lawyer, addressed a press conference in Delhi on Sunday, where he claimed that witnesses had come forward to inform him about the incident. "Witnesses have reached out to me and said there were 15-16 people carrying cans of a poisonous substance that they opened in the crowd," Singh said.

The stampede, which occurred on July 2nd, left 121 people, mostly women, dead. Singh claimed that the post-mortem reports showed the victims died of asphyxiation, not injuries, suggesting that the poisonous substance played a crucial role in the tragedy.

Alleged Conspiracy and Escape Plan

Singh also alleged that there was a conspiracy behind the stampede, which he attributed to Bhole Baba's "rising popularity." He claimed that there were vehicles parked at the site to help the perpetrators escape after the incident.

"There were vehicles parked at the site to help the men escape. We have proof and we will submit it. This is the first time I am speaking about it," Singh said, adding that the witnesses who reached out to him had requested anonymity, and that he would demand security for them.

Ongoing Investigations

So far, nine people, including the key accused Devprakash Madhukar , have been arrested in connection with the stampede. Madhukar was the main organizer and fundraiser of the 'satsang' where more than 2.5 lakh people had gathered, far exceeding the permitted limit of 80,000.

Hathras police have also been probing the suspected funding of the congregation by a political party, and have warned of the "strictest possible" action against it.

Judicial Commission Inquiry

The Uttar Pradesh government has set up a three-member Judicial Inquiry Commission, led by retired Allahabad High Court judge Brijesh Kumar Shrivastava , to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter. The commission will speak to anyone required for the inquiry, including Bhole Baba, if necessary.

The commission will also issue a public notice soon, asking locals and witnesses to share any evidence related to the stampede, along with their statements.

Conclusion

The allegations made by Bhole Baba's lawyer have added a new layer of complexity to the Hathras stampede case. The claims of poisoning and a conspiracy, if proven true, could have far-reaching implications for the ongoing investigations and the search for justice for the victims and their families.

As the judicial commission and the authorities continue their probe, the public will be closely watching to see if these explosive claims can be substantiated and the perpetrators brought to account.