On 2 July 2024 a crush at a satsang near Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, killed 121 people. Eleven accused face trial; preacher Bhole Baba was not charged.
At a satsang led by Bhole Baba near Phulrai village, a crowd several times the permitted 80,000 surged onto a muddy slope as it dispersed. 121 people died.
The SIT found permission was granted without proper site inspection and organisers did not plan for the real crowd. Six local officials were suspended.
Police chargesheeted 11 people led by chief organiser Devprakash Madhukar. Bhole Baba was not named. A chargesheet is an allegation, not proof of guilt.
A panel led by retired Justice B.K. Srivastava found serious lapses and said a conspiracy could not be ruled out. That is a call for more probe, not a finding.
A sessions court framed charges against all 11 accused. The trial opened on 18 August 2025 with 676 prosecution witnesses listed. Charges are not a conviction.
Testimony moved slowly: a sub-inspector in Nov 2025, a head constable in Jan 2026, a 17th witness by Feb 2026. All 11 accused were on bail.
Reports at the two-year mark said 30 of 676 witnesses had testified. No verdict yet; all 11 accused are presumed innocent until a court rules.
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