‘Cans of poisonous substance opened in crowd’: Bhole Baba’s lawyer alleges conspiracy in Hathras stampede | India News

NEW DELHI: Bhole Baba‘s lawyer AP Singh on Sunday alleged conspiracy in Hathras stampede saying that some people opened cans of “poisonous substance” in the crowd leading to the accident.
“Witnesses have reached out to me and said there were 15-16 people carrying cans of a poisonous substance that they opened in the crowd. I have seen post-mortem reports of those killed and it showed that they died of asphyxiation and not because of injuries,” Singh said.
He said that the witnesses have requested to remain anonymous.He claimed a conspiracy linked to Bhole Baba’s increasing popularity as the cause behind the stampede.
“There were vehicles parked at the site to help the men escape. We have proof and we will submit it. This is the first time I am speaking about it,” he added.
“Initial findings indicate that the stampede happened when worshippers hurried to receive blessings and gather soil near the preacher’s feet, only to be stopped by his security team. This resulted in pushing, leading to multiple individuals falling and triggering stampede.
The self-proclaimed godman had released a video statement on Saturday for the first time after the stampede.
“I am deeply saddened after the incident of July 2. May God give us the strength to bear this pain. Please keep faith in the government and the administration. I have faith that anyone who created the chaos would not be spared,” he said.
Nine individuals, including the prime accused Devprakash Madhukar, have been arrested in relation to the stampede that killed 121 people.
Madhukar, on Saturday, was sent to a 14-day judicial custody.
A three-member Judicial Inquiry Commission, led by Justice (retd) Brijesh Kumar Srivastava, has been set up to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath declared financial aid of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.