Self-styled godman Suraj Pal alias Bhole Baba on Thursday appeared before the judicial commission probing the July 2 stampede at his congregation in Hathras that claimed 121 lives.

Suraj Pal, also known as Narayan Sakar Hari, is not mentioned as an accused in the FIR that was lodged after the stampede at Fulrai village in Sikandra Rao area of Hathras district.

On July 3, the Uttar Pradesh government had formed a three-member judicial commission headed by a retired judge of the high court to probe the Hathras tragedy and to look into the possibility of a conspiracy behind the stampede. This was separate from the police investigation launched into the case.

“The judicial commission’s office is situated in Janpath Annexe in Lucknow and on Thursday Narayan Sakar Hari (Suraj Pal) was called for his statement,” Suraj Pal’s lawyer AP Singh told reporters.

“We have full faith in the UP Police, the judiciary, the UP government and the Centre. Justice will be done with us,” Singh said, adding, “We had promised that whenever any probe panel or investigation agency would call Narayan Sakar Hari, he would turn up.”

Singh added, “He (Suraj Pal) was summoned today (Thursday) so he has come here. Whatever he is asked about, he will give his statement.”

He said the Uttar Pradesh government has provided Rs 2 lakh financial assistance to the bereaved kin of the stampede victims and the Samajwadi Party, the main opposition party in the state, had also extended a support of Rs 1 lakh to each of the victims’ families.

Meanwhile, sources said that the self-styled godman arrived in MLA Baburam Paswan’s car, which had ‘BJP MLA’ written on it, amid heavy security and recorded his statement.

During this, tight security arrangements were made inside and outside the office of the judicial commission in Hazratganj. MLA Baburam Paswan was also with Bhole Baba during his appearance.

However, Bhole Baba was allowed to go alone in front of Judicial Commission Chairman Justice (Retired) Brijesh Kumar Srivastava where he recorded his statement and also answered the questions asked by the commission.

Bhole Baba was questioned for about 2 hours 15 minutes in a closed room in front of the judicial commission. During this time, the commission asked many questions about the stampede at the satsang venue. During this time, Bhole Baba also submitted affidavits of 1,100 people involved in the satsang to the commission.

It is being said that Bhole Baba answered all the questions asked by the commission. During this interrogation, the police had sealed an area of about one kilometre. Even the shops in Janpath market were closed.

Since a large number of followers of Bhole Baba had also reached Lucknow on getting news of his arrival, police and Rapid Action Force personnel were deployed at various places.

Originally a resident of Patiyali village in Kasganj, Bhole Baba’s real name is Suraj Pal. He was recruited in the Uttar Pradesh Police and took voluntary retirement after 18 years of service. After returning home, he started living in a hut in his village and after a few days, claiming to have met god, he declared himself a self-proclaimed saint.

Narayan Sakar Hari alias Bhole Baba has a huge following. He also has a long history of controversies. During his posting in Etawah, he was accused of sexual harassment. It is said that after this incident, he was dismissed from the police service. He also had to go to jail in this case.