SC rejects PIL claiming 200 died in Delhi station stampede
What's the story
The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Anand Legal Trust in connection with the stampede incident at New Delhi Railway Station on February 15.
The petitioner alleged not all deaths were accounted for, and compensation was yet to be paid to many families.
A bench comprising Justice BR Gavai and Justice PK Mishra refused to entertain the matter, asking the petitioner to approach the high court instead.
Legal advice
Court advises affected families to approach High Court
"If any person has died and their family member has not received ex-gratia, they can approach and say that my name is not there," Justice Mishra said.
The petitioner contended that videos and eyewitness accounts suggested a higher death toll than reported.
However, the bench was reluctant to entertain the matter further.
Direction
18 people were killed in the stampede
The plea also sought directions to be given to authorities on crowd management, claiming that over 200 people had died.
To this, the bench of Justices BR Gavai and PK Mishra asked the counsel appearing for the petitioner, "Is there any proof 200 have died?"
At least 18 people were killed in the stampede on February 15 at the New Delhi Railway Station, which saw a surge of passengers boarding trains for Prayagraj, where the Maha Kumbh was taking place.
Safety concerns
Delhi High Court seeks responses on stampede prevention measures
Earlier, the Delhi High Court had asked the Union Government and Railways to respond on steps taken to prevent future stampedes at railway stations.
"If you fix the number of passengers to be accommodated in a coach then why do you sell, why the number of tickets sold exceed that number? That is a problem," the court said.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing Indian Railways, acknowledged the issues and affirmed compliance with existing legislation without the need for a mandamus.