The Hindu : New Delhi News : Sarota Baba held, magisterial probe ordered into stampede

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Saturday, Sep 08, 2007
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New Delhi

New Delhi

Sarota Baba held, magisterial probe ordered into stampede

Staff Reporter

The inquiry will be conducted by Additional Collector of Jabalpur

Sarota Baba’s weekly camp had started drawing huge crowds of sick people
On Thursday there were about 25,000 people from neighbouring districts of Panna and Satna

BHOPAL: A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into Thursday’s stampede at a “healing camp” at Bharra village near Jabalpur in which 11 persons were killed and several others injured, two of them critically.

The inquiry will be conducted by Additional Collector, Jabalpur, who has been asked to submit a report within 15 days. The officer visited the spot and took evidence on Friday.

Sarota Baba of Bharra village was arrested in connection with the stampede, under Section 304-A of Indian Penal Code for alleged negligence causing death.

Sarota Baba’s weekly camp had started drawing huge crowds of sick people. On Thursday, there were about 25,000 people from neighbouring districts like Damoh, Panna, Satna, Sagar and Katni. Most of them were old, frail and fatigued. They started arriving the previous night in hordes of vehicles. Barricades were put up and about five dozen police personnel were on duty.

Considering the large gathering, arrangements were made to shift the venue from the Baba’s house to an open space nearby. But since this place was flooded due to heavy rain, it was decided to suspend Baba’s sitting. However, as pressure mounted from a section of the people for audience, the Baba agreed to meet them. When the crowd began moving in a constricted area there was a stampede.

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