Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested the key accused in the Hathras stampede tragedy in north India, which left 121 people dead, this week.
The main accused was identified as Dev Prakash Madhukar.
He was a close aide of self-style godman Surajpal alias Narayan Sakar Hari alias Bhole Baba.
Hathras Superintendent of Police Nipun Agarwal confirmed Madhukar’s arrest from Delhi, adding that he was being brought to Hathras to be presented in the court, reported Hindustan Times.
In the FIR lodged at Sikandra Rao police station, Madhukar is the only accused named in it.
Madhukar’s lawyer AP Singh said he has surrendered in Delhi.
“Today, we have surrendered Dev Prakash Madhukar, who has been called the main organiser in the FIR in the Hathras case, after calling the police, the SIT and the STF in Delhi since he was undergoing treatment here,” AP Singh was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.
At least 121 people, mostly women, were killed after a stampede broke out at a religious event in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras on Tuesday, officials have said.
The stampede occurred during a ‘satsang’ (prayer meeting) which was attended by hundreds.
Visuals from the Community Health Centre showed several bodies being brought there in buses and tempos in the presence of crying family members.
Manav Mangal Milan Sadbhavna Samagam Committee hosted the religious event.
A case has been reportedly filed against the organisers of the event.
The organisers have been charged under sections 105, 110, 126 (2), 223, and 238 of the country’s new criminal code Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
