Hathras, July 6: The Uttar Pradesh Police today arrested Dev Prakash Madhukar, the main accused in the tragic stampede at a 'satsang' (religious congregation) in Hathras, which resulted in the deaths of 121 people, mostly women. Madhukar, the 'Mukhya Sevadar,' was named as the principal accused in the FIR filed by the police. Earlier, a reward of Rs 1 lakh was announced for information leading to his capture.
The arrest follows the apprehension of six other individuals on Thursday, all members of the satsang organizing committee, in connection with the stampede.
The incident occurred on July 2 during a satsang conducted by self-styled godman and preacher Narayan Sakar Hari, also known as 'Bhole Baba.' According to the FIR, over 2.50 lakh people attended the event, despite the administration permitting only 80,000 attendees. The satsang organizers allegedly concealed the actual number of attendees by hiding evidence, including disposing of followers' slippers and belongings in nearby fields.
The stampede ensued as devotees scrambled to collect soil from the preacher's feet, believed to possess healing properties. Eyewitnesses recounted the horrific scene of people falling over each other, resulting in a pile of bodies.
Meanwhile, police are actively investigating Narayan Sakar Hari's background, with teams dispatched to cities where he may have criminal records. However, his name has not been mentioned in the FIR.
