CBI begins probe in Ratangarh temple stampede

A CBI team has reached in Datia to begin investigation into the Ratangarh temple stampede in October which claimed 115 lives.

The three-member CBI team, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police A.S. Negi, reached Datia on Sunday and collected a copy of the FIR and other details from the police station.

Madhya Pradesh High Court had on November 12 ordered a CBI probe into the stampede in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) which demanded an inquiry by the central agency.

Several officials, including the then Collector Sanket Bhondwe, were suspended following the tragedy.

However, Mr. Bhondwe’s suspension was revoked as the state government failed to send a confirmation of the charge sheet against him.

115 people were killed and over 100 injured in the stampede near the Ratangarh temple on October 13 during Navratri festivities, which was triggered by rumours that the bridge over Sindh river the devotees were crossing was about to collapse.

Lakhs of devotees had converged at Ratangarh, 60 km from the district headquarters and around 320 km from state capital Bhopal, to offer prayers at the Durga temple.