The Aligarh Inspector General of Police, Shalabh Mathur, announced on Thursday the arrest of six individuals in connection with the stampede during a religious event in Hathras. The incident, which occurred during a gathering for ‘Bhole Baba’, a preacher with multiple ashrams, has resulted in a widespread investigation. Police have also offered a ₹1 lakh reward for the arrest of the main suspect, Prakash Madhukar.
‘Bhole Baba’, whose real name is Suraj Pal, is also known as Narayan Sakar Hari and Jagat Guru Vishwahari. According to the Hindustan Times, citing sources, he has 24 ashrams and assets worth ₹100 crore. The Shri Narayan Hari Sakar Charitable Trust oversees his organization and is managed by individuals closely associated with his operations.
Suraj Pal often appears in a distinctive white three-piece suit with fashionable eyewear and a tie. His arrival is marked by a grand procession with 16 commandos on motorcycles leading a fleet of 15 to 30 vehicles. Pal himself travels in a white Toyota Fortuner with white seat covers. He resides in the Mainpuri Ashram in Bichuva, which spans 21 bighas of land and has six rooms designated for him and his wife.
A board at the entrance of the Mainpuri ashram lists the names of 200 donors, with contributions ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹2.5 lakh. These contributions highlight the significant financial support received by the ashram and the community’s involvement in its activities.
Suraj Pal’s ashram network extends to various locations, demonstrating substantial infrastructure and strict regulations. A subsidiary ashram for sevadars (volunteers) is located in Kasui village, Kanpur’s Bidhnu area. Another ashram under construction is located in Bhupat Sarai, Etawah, spread over 15 bighas of land.
An FIR was filed on July 2 under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 110 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 126 (2) (wrongful restraint), 223 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public servant), and 238 (causing disappearance of evidence). The police are also pursuing a non-bailable warrant against Madhukar.
