elf-styled godman Bhole Baba's lawyer AP Singh claimed on Sunday that the Hathras stampede occurred because a group of 15-16 people sprayed poison during the religious event. The lawyer claimed the group of conspirators fled the venue after triggering the stampede. He alleged 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."

Preliminary probe reports say that the organisers had secured permission for the event with a maximum turnout of 80,000. However, over 2.5 lakh people attended the gathering.

So far, nine people, including key accused Devprakash Madhukar, have been arrested in connection with the stampede. On Saturday, Suraj Pal Singh or "Bhole Baba" broke his silence on the Hathras stampede and said those who created the chaos will not be spared. "I am deeply saddened by 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 have faith that those who created the chaos will not be spared. Through my lawyer AP Singh, I have requested the members of the committee to stand with the bereaved families and the injured and help them throughout their lives," the 'Baba' said.

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.