HC takes cognizance of Deoghar stampede

Following Deoghar stampede killing 10 pilgrims dead and leaving at least 50 injured when the crowd reportedly tried to jump the queue in order to get closer to Durga temple at Belbagan on Monday, the Jharkhand High Court taking suo-motto cognizance of the matter, has observed that more arrangements need to be done to control lakhs of crowd coming every Monday during Shravani Mela. The matter was raised by advocate Dilip Jerath requesting the court to take cognizance in this regard.

“The court of Chief Justice Virender Singh and Justice PP Bhatt referring to an earlier order passed by it while hearing a PIl related to Deoghar temple, observed that looking at the massive crowd which gathers during Shravani Mela, there needs to be provided more facilities to the pilgrims,” said Additional Advocate General Ajit Kumar. Additional support may also be provided to the committee already in place to look into the affairs of temple management if required, the court added.

According to Kumar, the Court also directed the District legal Services Authority (DlSA) of Deoghar to take immediate steps by holding camps and provide assistance to the state government in the direction of providing relief to the pilgrims. The bench also directed JHAlSA member secretary Navneet Kumar, who was present in the court, to coordinate with the Deoghar district judge and DlSA Secretary to expedite the relief operation.

The court has also asked the state government to ensure medical aid for everyone who is visiting the place for pilgrimage.According to police, a crowd started building up at 2 am and snaked through lanes near the temple and swelled to over one lakh in two hours. The incident took place at around 5.45 AM near a Durga temple at Belbagan More on Deogarh-Jasidih, about 350 kilometres from the state head-quarters in Ranchi.

Though the administration tried to organize the crowd but the surge turned chaotic at 5 am when people started jumping the queue when they heard that the gates of the temple were finally being opened. The police allegedly used batons while trying to control the crowd but it proved to be futile.