Kumbh Mela stampede: BBC Hindi investigation reveals 82 deaths, contrasting with government's claim
New Delhi: A recent in-depth investigation by BBC Hindi has revealed a significantly higher death toll in the stampedes that occurred during the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on January 29th, 2025, compared to the figures released by the Uttar Pradesh government. While the government stated that 37 people died in four stampede incidents on the day of Mauni Amavasya, the BBC's investigation has confirmed at least 82 deaths.
According to the BBC Hindi report published on June 10th, 2025, their reporters reached out to over 100 families across 11 states and more than 50 districts. These families claimed that their loved ones died in the Kumbh stampedes. The BBC stated that they have concrete evidence of at least 82 deaths, and this number only includes cases where families could provide substantial proof.
The Uttar Pradesh government, as mentioned in the report, had announced a compensation of ₹25 lakh for the families of the deceased. Chief Minister Adityanath stated in the assembly on February 19th that 66 devotees were affected near Sangam Nose between 1:10 AM and 1:30 AM, with 30 deaths confirmed. He also mentioned another 7 deaths in other locations, bringing the official toll to 37.
However, the BBC's investigation uncovered that while 36 families received ₹25 lakh in compensation through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) or cheques, an additional 26 families were given ₹5 lakh each in cash by the Uttar Pradesh government. These 26 families were allegedly not included in the official death count. The BBC claims to possess videos and photos showing police teams handing over bundles of ₹500 notes to these families.
Several families reported being pressured to sign documents stating that the deaths occurred due to sudden illness, not stampedes. The source of the ₹1.30 crore distributed in cash remains unclear, but the families confirmed the involvement of the Uttar Pradesh Police in all these cases. Furthermore, the BBC's investigation identified another 19 families who claimed their relatives died in the stampedes but did not receive any financial assistance from the government. These families presented evidence such as post-mortem reports, hospital morgue slips, and death certificates to support their claims. Some even showed photos and videos taken at the stampede sites on January 29th, showing the bodies of their relatives.
The BBC categorized the 82 confirmed deaths into three groups: those whose families received ₹25 lakh compensation, those who received ₹5 lakh in cash, and those who received no financial assistance.
The report detailed several harrowing stories. For instance, Nankan from Gonda district in Uttar Pradesh died in the stampede at Sangam Nose. His brother, Masru, recounted the chaotic scene where people became frantic after an announcement of "Amrit Baras Raha Hai" (nectar is showering) and a massive crowd surged forward, leading to Nankan being trampled. His family received ₹25 lakh compensation.
Similarly, Kanchan from Belagavi, Karnataka, lost her husband, Arun Narayan Koparde, in the Sangam Nose stampede. She described the horrific scene where people were stepping over others. The bodies of Arun and three other victims from Karnataka were eventually sent back home with a compensation of ₹25 lakh each.
The BBC also found that one of the deceased, KN Vasudevacharya, the younger brother of former BJP General Secretary KN Govindacharya, was initially identified as having no heir. However, the BBC's investigation revealed his identity, and despite this, no compensation was given in his case. The report also highlighted that the stampedes were not limited to Sangam Nose.
The BBC found evidence of a significant stampede near the Mukti Marg Chauraha at Kalpavriksh Dwar around 8 AM, where five more people died. These included Panne Lal Sahni and Nagina Devi from Gorakhpur, Meena Pandey from Sultanpur, Krishna Devi from Jind (Haryana), and Sonam Kumari from Aurangabad (Bihar). Only three of these families received ₹5 lakh in cash, while the families of Meena Pandey and Krishna Devi received no compensation.
Eyewitness accounts, like that of Archana Singh, who was with Meena Pandey, painted a grim picture of bodies lying at the stampede site for hours without any immediate help from authorities. Kusum Devi, the wife of Panne Lal Sahni, also described the chaotic scene and the lack of assistance, stating that they sat with the bodies of her husband and Nagina Devi in the sun until 4 PM.
The BBC Hindi investigation raises serious questions about the accuracy of the official death toll and the transparency of the compensation process following the Kumbh Mela stampedes. Despite the heavy security arrangements claimed by the government, including CCTV cameras, thousands of personnel, and ambulances, the report suggests a significant underreporting of fatalities and inconsistencies in the distribution of aid to the victims' families.
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ED arrests Sandeepa Virk, 'cosmetologist' for alleged money laundering
New Delhi, Aug 13 (PTI): The Enforcement Directorate said on Wednesday it has arrested a woman, who claims to be an actor and a cosmetologist, under the anti-money laundering law in a case of alleged fraud and misrepresentation.
The agency said the purported links of the woman, Sandeepa Virk, with a Reliance Group executive, Angarai Natarajan Sethuraman (President, Corporate Affairs), are also under its scanner. Sethuraman, in a statement, denied any connection with Virk or any transactions related to her.
Virk was taken into custody under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on Tuesday after searches were conducted against her and her associates in Delhi and Mumbai over the last two days.
A special court sent her to the ED's custody till August 14, the agency said. The woman claims to be the owner of a skin care products selling website named hyboocare.com, which the ED claimed was a "front" for money laundering.
She and her associates are being probed for allegedly exerting undue influence through "misrepresentation" and "defrauding" individuals by soliciting money under false pretences.
According to an Instagram ID of Virk, she is an actor and entrepreneur and the founder of the said website.
The federal agency said in a statement that the woman was also "in touch with" Sethuraman, former director of erstwhile Reliance Capital Limited.
She was communicating with him regarding "illegal liaisoning", the ED claimed, adding that the searches at Sethuraman's residence "confirmed" these allegations.
"Besides, diversion of funds for personal benefit has also been unearthed during the course of the search action," it said.
The ED alleged that public money worth about Rs 18 crore belonging to Reliance Commercial Finance Limited (RCFL) was disbursed to Sethuraman in 2018 by "flouting" prudent lending norms.
The funds were lent under terms that allowed a deferment of the principal amount as well as the interest, with multiple waivers granted and no due diligence conducted, it said.
The ED claimed that besides this, a home loan of Rs 22 crore was provided by Reliance Capital Limited by "violating" the prudential norms. "A large part of these loans are seen to have been eventually siphoned off and remained unpaid," it alleged.
Sethuraman, in a statement, dismissed the allegations as "baseless". He denied any connection with Virk or any transactions related to her.
Detailing about Virk's web portal, the agency said it purportedly sold FDA-approved beauty products. However, the ED said the products listed on the website have been found to be non-existent and the portal lacks a user registration option and is plagued by persistent payment gateway issues.
A scrutiny of the website uncovered minimal social-media engagement, an inactive WhatsApp contact number and an absence of transparent organisational details, all of which reinforce the finding of "non-genuine" commercial activity, the ED claimed.
"These factors, including limited product range, inflated pricing, false claims of FDA approval and technical inconsistencies, indicate that the website serves as a front for laundering funds," it said.
Another social media-hosted bio data of the woman said she is a certified cosmetologist.
The ED said several "incriminating" documents were seized during the searches and the statement of a man named Farrukh Ali, stated to be an associate of Virk, was recorded.
The money-laundering case stems from an FIR lodged by the Punjab Police.
Sethuraman said that the home loan he received from Reliance Capital was granted following due process and was secured by the property offered as collateral.
