The self-styled guru Bhole Baba’s attorney told the news that the crush happened “because of some anti-social elements” and accused his client of being the victim of a “criminal conspiracy hatched against” him.
According to his attorney, AP Singh, Bhole Baba, whose true name is Narayan Sakar Vishwa Hari, will fully cooperate with the investigation.
Women and children attending the satsang, a Hindu religious celebration, in Hathras district made up nearly all of the dead.
In India, it has provoked anger and raised concerns about inadequate security protocols.
Additionally, Mr. Singh refuted rumors that festival security caused panic by shooing away attendees attempting to obtain Bhole Baba’s approval.
“Absolutely untrue accusation,” Mr. Singh informed the news. “Security staff always assists followers.”
The crush happened in the village of Pulrai, where Bhole Baba was hosting a religious assembly.
Although authorities had granted authorization for 80,000 people to assemble, according to an early police report, only about 250,000 people showed up for the event.
According to the story, the preacher’s departure sparked the mayhem. As hundreds of people surged towards the preacher as he was exiting the arena, witnesses reported that individuals lost their footing and began tumbling on top of each other.
