Source

NASIK, INDIA, October 8, 2003: The District Court here released on bail two mahants of Vrindavan’s Swami Ishwarpuri Ashram — Swami Gyanprakash and Mukeshdas — against whom police had registered cases in connection with the stampede during the Kumbh Mela on August 27 in which 41 pilgrims were killed and more than 100 injured. “Judge N. V. Deshpande released both of them on bail yesterday, after they themselves appeared before the court in connection with the case,” according to their advocate, Rajendra Bhutda, here today. Police had registered cases against two Mahants and 25 sadhus of the Jagnnath Khalsa for allegedly throwing silver coins in the city’s Sardar Chowk locality while they were proceeding for Shahi Snan (royal bath) which caused a stampede of pilgrims to collect the coins. Twenty-nine pilgrims were killed and 118 were injured in the incident. HPI adds: Sadhus at the Mela dispute the police account of coins being thrown. The police, on their part, admitted to Hinduism Today shortly after the incident that poor management of the crowd flow was the underlying cause of the disaster, and remedial steps were immediately taken to ensure one-way flow of pilgrims on all major streets. The disaster happened where pilgrims in large numbers were expected to travel in both directions on the same street.

Post Views: 562