The inquiry found that the organisers had not made proper arrangements for controlling the crowds and the gate of the ashram, which also had a structural fault.
A preliminary inquiry into the stampede in Pratapgarh district that left 63 people dead has held the management of the ashram responsible but admitted that the police had been informed about the function, Uttar Pradesh government said today.
"As per the preliminary report submitted by divisional commissioner Allahabad Ajay Kumar Upadhyaya, who was asked to probe the incident, prima facie (Kripaluji Maharaj) ashram
authorities are responsible for the mishap," principal
secretary home Fateh Bahadur told reporters here.
The inquiry found that the organisers had not made proper arrangements for controlling the crowds and the gate of the ashram, which also had a structural fault, fell because of "lack of foresight and negligence" on their part, he said.
No official action has been taken against police personnel, he said, adding that deputy superintendent of police K P Singh was inquiring into the FIR lodged against the ashram management and organisers.
"As of now no action like suspension has been initiated by the government," he said,
As many as 63 people were killed in the stampede at Kripaluji Maharaj Ashram at Mangarh during a 'bhandara' (community kitchen) on Thursday.
When it was pointed out that senior administrative officials and politicians were disciples of Kripalu Maharaj, the principal secretary said that it would not come in the way of taking action against those responsible for the mishap.
He admitted that Jagatguru Kripalu Parishad Trust had informed the Additional Superintendent of Police, Pratapgarh, through a letter that the function would take place between 12 noon to 6 PM and had requested for ten to 15 policemen.
"But the crowd had started assembling since nine in the morning and the organisers had not made arrangements to control it," the official said adding that the arrangements were for distributing utensils and other things among 10,000 people.
The report also stated that there was also no public address system at the site, the principal secretary said adding that had the arrangement been made by the Trust, the incident could have been prevented.
The principal secretary said that the commissioner also got experts' view on the gate which had crashed under pressure. A report from the engineers of the Public Works Department (PWD) and even the treasurer of the Trust, Hiranmay Chatterji, had said that there was some structural fault.
Asked why the police had failed to assess the gravity of the situation, the principal secretary said that it was a private "shradh ceremony and bhandara" and the arrangements for those attending it were made by the organisers themselves.
"The programme was being held at the private property of the Trust," he said adding that strict action would be taken after the completion of the inquiries.
The Allahabad commissioner, who submitted his preliminary report last night, has been asked to give a detailed version later.
On a similar feast being organised by the Trust at Vrindavan in Mathura today where cash has also been distributed, he said senior officials have already visited the place and would submit a report after which action, if required, would be taken.
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