The Uttar Pradesh Police on Saturday arrested the key accused in the stampede incident in Hathras that killed 121 people, and claimed that he had been recently contacted some political parties.
Devprakash Madhukar, who was arrested from Delhi’s Najafgarh area by a Special Operations Group of Hathras police, was the key fundraiser for the events of self-styled godman Surajpal alias Narayan Sakar Hari alias Bhole Baba.
Hathras Superintendent of Police Nipun Agarwal said the investigation team is examining the financial transactions of Madhukar and the money trails. Police are also examining his call details.
Madhukar was the ‘mukhya sevadar’ (chief volunteer) of the ‘satsang’ where the stampede occurred on July 2. The police will now apply for his remand.
"Madhukar was the main organiser of the satsang programme in Fulrai village on July 2 and the permission for this programme was taken by him. Thus, two roles of Madhukar have come to light -- the main organiser and fundraiser," Agarwal was quoted as saying by PTI.
Police are conducting a detailed investigation regarding the collection of funds to see if Bhole Baba’s programmes and other resources are being funded by any political party.
“From the investigation so far, it appears that some political party is connected with them for its political and personal interests," he said.
"All the bank accounts, movable and immovable properties, money trail, related to the accused Devprakash Madhukar are being investigated, in which assistance will be taken from other agencies as per the need," Agarwal said.
The police officer further informed that the accused and the sevadars/organising committee members working under his direction were "fully responsible" for the barricading, entrance gate, exit gate, seating arrangements, parking and other facilities around the pandal of the satsang.
With PTI inputs
