(Image source from: PTI)
Devprakash Madhukar, the main suspect in the tragic Hathras incident, surrendered to the authorities in Delhi on Friday night, according to top Uttar Pradesh police sources. In a statement issued the very next day, Preacher Bhole Baba expressed his profound grief over the devastating event on July 2, which claimed 121 lives. He conveyed his unwavering support for the victims, stating that he has "full confidence" in the government's ability to bring the perpetrators to justice. "We are deeply distressed by the events of July 2, and we pray for the strength to overcome this sorrow," Bhole Baba said through his lawyer. He further assured that he and his organization will cooperate fully with the state administration and police in their investigation of the matter. This statement came after the preacher had gone into hiding in the aftermath of the deadly stampede that occurred during one of his religious gatherings.
#WATCH | Hathras Stampede Accident | Mainpuri, UP: In a video statement, Surajpal also known as 'Bhole Baba' says, "... I am deeply saddened after the incident of July 2. May God give us the strength to bear this pain. Please keep faith in the government and the administration. I… pic.twitter.com/7HSrK2WNEM
— ANI (@ANI) July 6, 2024
The organizer of the satsang where the stampede took place is the sole defendant named in the police report filed at Sikandra Rao station in Hathras. In a video statement, Madhukar's lawyer, AP Singh, said his client had turned himself in at Delhi, where he was receiving medical treatment. "Devprakash Madhukar, who has been identified as the main organizer in the Hathras case FIR, has surrendered today after contacting the police, the SIT, and the STF in Delhi, as he was undergoing treatment here," the lawyer stated. "We had promised not to apply for anticipatory bail, as we had done nothing wrong. What is his crime? He is an engineer and a heart patient. The doctors have said his condition is now stable, so we have surrendered him today to join the investigation," the lawyer added. The lawyer said the police may now record Madhukar's statement or question him, but they must consider his health condition and ensure that "nothing wrong happens to him." "We did not take any action like filing for anticipatory bail or approaching the court, which could have been seen as an effort to save ourselves and being scared... questions were being raised about his whereabouts and whether he had run away," the lawyer concluded.
Collaborate with the investigation and provide details about the "disruptive individuals" involved in the incident. The authorities had promised a substantial monetary reward for information leading to Madhukar's apprehension. On July 3, the legal representative stated that they also acted on behalf of Bhole Baba and that certain "disruptive individuals" were responsible for the tragic event. They expressed Surajpal's willingness to cooperate with the government officials and law enforcement, and requested a comprehensive inquiry into the entire situation.
