The Supreme Court declined to fix up the appeal in order to prevent losses to the devotees’ lives after the tragedy the Maha Kumbh Mela faced. The court dubbed the incident unfortunate. The Allahabad High Court asked the lawyer to appear before it; a stampede in Prayagraj Kumbh on January 29 killed 30 and injured 60 persons.
PTI, New Delhi: The Supreme Court dismissed a public interest litigation demanding the implementation of certain rules and guidelines for safeguarding the people going to and coming from the auspicious Maha Kumbh.
The PIL filed by counsel Vishal Tiwari was taken up by a bench consisting of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar on February 3, as per the cause list posted on the court’s website.
The Supreme Court dismissed the petition
The government of Uttar Pradesh has stated in court that the petition had already been received by the Allahabad High Court in this regard, and the application was dismissed on this particular ground. The Supreme Court termed the stampede as a very unfortunate incident after taking into account the government’s case.
“This unfortunate incident has raised questions. But as the matter is already under consideration in the high court, it is advisable to shift him to the high court,” the bench of Justice Sanjay Kumar and Chief Justice of India(CJ I), Sanjiv Khanna told Tiwari.
Another case was pending ex parte at the high court, the senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi appearing for Uttar Pradesh noted in the court’s recorded statements. “You must go to the High Court. You may raise, out there, all the issues you have raised,” the bench told Tiwari.
Tiwari has filed a Public-Interest Litigation last week against the Uttar Pradesh government, alleging “lamentable lapses, negligence, and utter failure of administration” in the management of the Maha Kumbh crowd, especially on Mauni Amavasya-the holiest bath day.
It sought some policy changes in this regard to avoid such resulting catastrophes during such large gatherings of religious congregations. Also, it asked the court to order all states to establish a “devotee aid cell” at the Kumbh in order to ensure the safe passage of pilgrims travelling from various places.
Thus far, 30 people have been officially confirmed dead in this stampede
On January 29, 30 people lost their lives and 60 were injured in the Sangam region during a stampede at the Prayagraj Mahakumbh. A petition was then filed in the Supreme Court.