After 7 days in Hathras, the UP government took its first action by suspending the SDM from the committee post. This action was taken after the report of the SIT. The SIT sent a 900-page report to CM Yogi on Monday night.
In the report, the government named a person on nine points, where Bhole Baba's name is not mentioned; the organizers and administrative authorities were described as negligent. The report gave a clean chit to Bhole Baba, as his name was not even mentioned. The suspended officers include SDM Ravindra Kumar, CO Anand Kumar, Inspector Ashish Kumar, Tehsildar Sushil Kumar, and outpost in-charge Brijesh Pandey.
The accident case has reached the Supreme Court Chief Justice DY Chandrachud informed the petitioner's lawyer, Vishal Tiwari, that the petition had been listed as ordered. The petition demands an investigation into the accident by a five-member team under the supervision of a retired justice.
The report stated that the accident cannot be denied and discussed details are just beginning. The accident occurred due to negligence and the police and administration did not take the event seriously. Adequate security arrangements were not made for the crowd, and the event was organized without police verification. The statements of 150 officers, employees, and victim families were recorded during the investigation.
The SIT reported that the organizers obtained permission for the event by hiding facts. They also mentioned that the SDM, CO, Tehsildar, Inspector, and Chowki Incharge were negligent in their duties. The SDM did not even inform the senior officer about the event venue without permission, and there was no arrangement for barricading at the venue. The organizers took permission for the event but misbehaved with the police and tried to stop them from inspecting the event venue. After the accident, members of the organizing committee fled from the spot. The CM had sought a report within 24 hours of the accident, but it took 6 days to complete the investigation. The Additional Director General of Police of Agra Zone, Anupam Kulshresht, is the head of the SIT Committee.
The accident in Hathras is being investigated at three levels. The first report was submitted to the administration by the SDM 24 hours after the accident, holding the organizers responsible. The second report was submitted by the SIT to the Yogi government on Monday. Additionally, a Nayak Inquiry Commission has been formed, with retired Justice Brijesh Kumar Srivastava of the Allahabad High Court as the chairman.
As for Bhole Baba, his real name is Surajpal. He hails from Bahadur Nagri village in the Etah district. During his job, he was involved in a case of miracles, witchcraft, and sexual exploitation. He was dismissed for fleeing from the police, and in 2000, he was arrested by the Shahganj police of Agra along with seven other people.
Bhole Baba is distinct in that he does not wear traditional religious attire. In his Satsang, he is often seen in a three-piece suit and colorful flashy glasses. He always wears white, whether it's a suit or a kurta pajama with a white cap on his head.