NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday refused to consider a PIL for guidelines and regulations to ensure safety of devotees attending the Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj.
At least 30 people lost their lives and 60 got injured during a stampede during the holy bath on the occasion of 'Mauni Amavasya' January 29.
Taking up the PIL filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari, a bench of Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar said that the incident was something of concern and it was an unfortunate incident.
"We are not entertaining the petition. You can move the High court," the bench said.
Advocate Tiwari claimed that such incidents of stampede has become regular, therefore, he sought directions to formulate policies and regulations.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government opposed the PIL, saying that there is already a judicial commission enquiring into the incident.
"A judicial inquiry is underway into the incident. A similar petition has been filed in the High Court," Rohatgi said.
In his plea, Tiwari sought directions to all the state governments to ensure safety, security of people going to Kumbh from their respective states.
He said all the states should work collectively for the safe and secure visit of devotees at Maha Kumbh.
"All the states shall establish in proper manner their facilitation centres at Prayagraj the Maha Kumbh. These centres shall provide and display the basic information regarding the safety measures and guidelines to the persons coming from their states. In emergency these centres shall be ready for any Assistance," his plea said.
From 1954 Kumbh mela Stampede accident to Maha kumbh 2025 stampede in Uttar Pradesh which took around 30 lives and left several injured, it is clear and evident that nothing in the administration has changed wherein such actions could have been avoided by showing reasonable duty of care, upfront repair and development activity, the plea claimed.
