The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking specific guidelines to ensure the safety of devotees attending the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, where at least 30 people died and 60 others injured in a pre-dawn stampede at Sangam.
A bench consisting of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar observed that a similar petition had already been filed in the Allahabad High Court. The bench directed the petitioner, advocate Vishal Tiwari, to approach the High Court instead of seeking a hearing in the apex court.
“This is an unfortunate incident. But, you go to the Allahabad High Court,” the bench said.
The court took note of the submission made by senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who appeared on behalf of the Uttar Pradesh government. Rohatgi informed the court that a judicial inquiry had already been initiated into the stampede.
The PIL was filed in the Supreme Court on January 30, a day after the stampede occurred on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, one of the most sacred days in the Hindu calendar.
The petition, filed under Article 32 of the Constitution, sought guidelines to prevent stampede incidents and to safeguard the fundamental rights to life and equality under Article 21.
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