Supreme Court Refuses To Entertain PIL For Probe Into Hathras Stampede, Asks Petitioner To Approach HC

Today, the Supreme Court dismissed a public interest litigation initiated in relation to the Hathras Stampede incident, saying that every matter does not have to be filed under Article 32. The instant PIL filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari sought the appointment of a five-member expert committee under the supervision of a retired Supreme Court judge to inquire into the incident. It may also be mentioned that the Uttar Pradesh Government had set up a judicial commission, headed by retired Allahabad High Court judge Brijesh Kumar Shrivastava, to probe into this horrific incident. The reliefs prayed in the petition are as follows: “Issue writ of mandamus/directions to the Respondents immediately to appoint a Five member Expert Committee Under the Supervision of Retired Supreme Court justice to enquire into the Hathras Stampede Incident took place on 2-7-2024 and also direct committee in the Interest of Public Safety to Suggest and frame Guidelines, Safety measures to Aoid Such incidents in large Number of Public gatherings; Issue writ of mandamus/directions to the Respondent No.2 State of Uttar Pradesh To Submit Status Report in Hathras Stampede Incident took place on 2-7-2024 and also direct to initiate legal Action against the Person's, Authorities and Officials for their Negligent Conduct; Issue writ of mandamus/directions to the Respondents/State Governments to issue directions and guidelines to prevent Stampede or other incidents for the safety of Public in Organizing any religious events or other events where large number of public Gathers; Issue writ of mandamus/directions to the State Governments to Submit the Status of the Medical Facilities available from Block/Tehsil to District level to deal with the incidents of Stampede and other.” Case Details: Vishal Tiwari v. Union of India and Others., W.P.