Maha Kumbh stampede: PIL in Supreme Court seeks report from UP govt, calls for safety reforms

NEW DELHI: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court following the deadly stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on Wednesday, which left at least 30 dead and 60 injured.

The plea seeks directives for state governments to implement strict crowd management policies to prevent similar incidents at large gatherings.
Filed by an advocate, the PIL urges that VIP movements should not endanger general devotees and calls for adequate entry and exit points to manage heavy footfall.
It also sought directions from Uttar Pradesh government to submit a status report on the stampede and take legal action against those whose negligence may have contributed to the disaster.
The stampede unfolded in the early hours of Wednesday as thousands pushed past police barricades toward a narrow section of the riverbank, leading to chaos and fatalities.
In response, authorities have launched a judicial probe led by a three-member panel, including retired judge Harsh Kumar, former DGP VK Gupta and retired IAS officer DK Singh. A separate police investigation is also underway to determine accountability.