UP govt orders judicial inquiry into Allahabad stampede

The Uttar Pradesh government has ordered a judicial inquiry into the stampede at Allahabad Railway Station that left 37 people dead.

Principal Secretary (home) R M Srivastava said retired high court judge Justice Omkareshar Bhatt has been entrusted with the inquiry into the incident, which took place on Mauni Amavasya on February 10. He said Justice Bhatt would submit his report in two months.

The state government had earlier ordered an inquiry by the chairman of the revenue board into the incident.

The stampede had occurred at the Allahabad railway station when thousands of passengers, mostly Maha Kumbh devotees returning after taking the holy dip at the Sangam on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, had gathered to board a train.