SIT chargesheet in Hathras stampede case 'bundle of lies', claims Bhole Baba's lawyer

NEW DELHI: A Supreme Court advocate A P Singh strongly criticized the Special Investigation Team's (SIT) chargesheet in the Hathras satsang stampede case during a district court hearing on Friday, calling it fabricated under media and political pressure, in a case involving 121 deaths during a religious gathering led by Bhole Baba in Sikandrarao tehsil on July 2 last year.
Singh, who represents Bhole Baba and all other accused in the case, expressed his concerns after the court proceedings.
"The SIT's chargesheet is nothing but a bundle of lies. It has been prepared hastily under media pressure, government influence and public outrage. Innocent people have been wrongly implicated," Singh told reporters.
He mentioned that detailed arguments were presented in court highlighting alleged investigation flaws.
"It is already becoming clear in the court that this chargesheet is fabricated. The truth will soon come to light and justice will prevail," Singh stated.
Eight out of eleven event organizers have secured bail from the high court, according to Singh. Three individuals remain in judicial custody - chief organizer Devprakash Madhukar, Mukesh, and Megh Singh.
The court has set May 2 for the next hearing to continue arguments.
The deadly stampede, which claimed mostly women and children among its victims, prompted authorities to form a high-level SIT to investigate the incident.
The religious gathering was addressed by Surajpal, also known as Narayan Sakar Hari or Bhole Baba, who is not named as an accused in the police FIR.
The event organizers face charges as the crowd exceeded 2 lakhs, far beyond the permitted limit of 80,000 attendees.
The case, which occurred in Sikandrarao tehsil of Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, continues to draw national attention as investigations proceed.