Some people opened cans of poisonous substance in crowd, triggered stampede: Bhole Baba's lawyer
New Delhi (PTI): Self-styled godman Bhole Baba's lawyer AP Singh alleged on Sunday that witnesses told him some people opened cans containing a poisonous substance in the crowd during the July 2 Hathras 'satsang', triggering the stampede.
Addressing a press conference in Delhi, Singh also alleged a conspiracy, which he attributed to Bhole Baba's "rising popularity", behind the stampede.
The stampede after the 'satsang' of self-styled godman Surajpal alias Narayan Sakar Hari alias Bhole Baba in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras left 121 people, mostly women, dead.
"Witnesses have reached out to me and said there were 15-16 people carrying cans of a poisonous substance that they opened in the crowd. I have seen post-mortem reports of those killed and it showed that they died of asphyxiation and not because of injuries," Singh claimed.
Alleging a conspiracy behind the stampede, he said, "There were vehicles parked at the site to help the men escape. We have proof and we will submit it. This is the first time I am speaking about it."
Singh claimed the witnesses who reached out to him requested anonymity. "We will demand security for them."
So far, nine people, including key accused Devprakash Madhukar, have been arrested in connection with the stampede.
On Saturday, Hathras police said it was also probing into the suspected funding of the congregation by a political party and warned of the "strictest possible" action against it.
Madhukar was the main organiser and fundraiser of the 'satsang' where more than 2.5 lakh people had gathered, much beyond the permitted limit of 80,000, officials had said.
The godman was not mentioned as an accused in the FIR lodged at the local Sikandra Rao police station.
The judicial commission set up by the Uttar Pradesh government will speak to anyone required for its inquiry, a probe panel member said when asked if Bhole Baba would also be questioned.
The commission will also issue a public notice soon, asking locals and witnesses to share any evidence related to the stampede, along with their statements, another member and chairperson of the panel, retired Allahabad High Court judge Brijesh Kumar Shrivastava, told reporters in Hathras.
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.
Delegation led by Abdul Hakkim Azhari meets Malaysian Prime Minister
Mangaluru/Kuala Lumpur: A delegation led by Dr. Muhammed Abdul Hakkim Azhari, Managing Director of Markaz Knowledge City, met Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar bin Ibrahim on Friday.
The meeting was held at the Nasyrul Quran Centre in Putrajaya, near the capital city Kuala Lumpur. During the interaction, the team discussed key issues related to healthcare, education, and current affairs with the Malaysian Prime Minister.
Also present on the occasion were Dr. UT Ifthikar Fareed, Chairman of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions, along with several other dignitaries.
