The Supreme Court on Monday refused to hear the PIL requesting specific guidelines to ensure the safety of the devotees who joined the Mahakumbh.
During the Mahakumbh, at least 30 people were killed and 60 others were injured in a stampede in the confluence area of Prayagraj on Mauni Amavasya.
A bench of Chief Justice Sanjeev Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar noted the plea of the Uttar Pradesh government that a petition has already been filed in the Allahabad High Court on the matter and the current petition should not be heard in the apex court. Describing the stampede as a “unfortunate incident”, the apex court asked the petitioner and advocate Vishal Tiwari to move to the Allahabad High Court.
The bench told Tiwari, “This is an unfortunate incident but you go to Allahabad High Court.”
The apex court noted these arguments of senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing on behalf of the Uttar Pradesh government, that judicial inquiry has been started.
This PIL was filed in the apex court on January 30, a day after the stampede incident in Prayagraj.
The petition filed by Tiwari under Article 32 of the Constitution requested to prevent stampede incidents and issue guidelines to protect equality and fundamental rights of life under Article 21.