Maha Kumbh stampede: Supreme Court refuses to hear PIL, asks petitioner to move Allahabad HC
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Monday refused to hear a PIL for specific guidelines to ensure safety of devotees attending the Maha Kumbh, where at least 30 people were killed and 60 injured in a pre-dawn stampede at Sangam area in Prayagraj.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar noted the submission of the Uttar Pradesh government that a plea was already filed in the Allahabad High Court on the issue and the present petition should be not examined in the apex court.
Terming it “an unfortunate incident”, the top court asked the petitioner advocate Vishal Tiwari to move the Allahabad High Court.
“This is an unfortunate incident. But, you go to the Allahabad High Court,” the bench told Tiwari.
The top court noted the submissions of senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the UP government, that a judicial inquiry was initiated.
The PIL was filed in the top court on January 30, a day after the incident in the stampede in Prayagraj.
The incident took place on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, one of the most auspicious days of the Hindu calendar.
The petition, filed a day later under Article 32 of the Constitution by Tiwari, sought guidelines to prevent stampede incidents and protect the fundamental rights of equality and life under Article 21.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Bihar: Over 150 children fall ill after consuming 'mid-day meal' in Saharsa
Saharsa (PTI): More than 150 children were taken ill after allegedly consuming food that was part of the mid-day meal in a school in Bihar’s Saharsa district, a senior official said on Thursday.
The incident occurred at a middle school in Baluaha village of the district.
The official said that 115 children were undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital, while around 50 students were admitted to Mahishi Public Health Centre.
“We received information that several children fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal in Baluaha. The children were initially treated at the primary health centre, but later, many were referred to the Sadar Hospital,” Saharsa District Magistrate Deepesh Kumar told reporters.
“According to doctors, the health condition of the children has improved, but they will be kept under observation for some time. There is no need to panic. Some kids are having mild fever. They are being treated accordingly,” Kumar said.
Meanwhile, family members of some children claimed that a snake was found in the container in which cooked pulses was stored at the school.
Of the 545 students present in the school, 200 had already eaten their meals by the time the snake was spotted, and later complained of stomach ache and vomiting, they said.
Regarding the claims, the DM said food samples have been collected from the school.
“We will be able to comment on this only after the results of the tested samples arrive,” he said.
