MP stampede: Govt constitutes judicial panel for probe

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Government today announced constitution of a commission to be headed by Justice (retd) Rakesh Saksena of the high court to probe the Ratangarh temple stampede in which 115 people were killed and many injured. The decision to appoint Justice (retd) Saksena of the Madhya Pradesh high court was taken by chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, official sources told PTI. The one-member panel, to be headquartered at Gwalior, is mandated to probe the circumstances that led to the stampede on Sunday and the role of district and police officials concerned. [caption id=“attachment_1173769” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Site of the temple stampede. PTI. [/caption] The commission will have to submit its report, along with recommendations, within two months. A total of 115 people were killed and scores of others injured following a stampede on a bridge over Sindh river leading to a temple in Datia district on October 13. Meanwhile, taking a suo motu cognisance of the case, the Madhya Pradesh Human Rights Commission (MPHRC) has issued a notice to the state chief secretary and the DGP directing them to file their reply on the tragedy within a week. MPHRC chairman, Justice A K Saxena issued the notice directing them to reply on various issues including lapses and action taken by the government against those responsible for the stampede. The state government has already suspended a total of 21 officials and policemen including Datia district Collector and Superintendent of Police in the wake of the incident. PTI