Hathras (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 6 (ANI): After Uttar Pradesh Police arrested the main accused Dev Prakash Madhukar in connection with the Hathras stampede, the police investigation revealed that political parties were in contact with Madhukar, who was carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh.

Two other accused, Ram Prakash Shakya and Sanju Yadav, were also arrested on Saturday. With this, Hathras Police have now arrested a total of nine accused.

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The stampede happened during the 'Satsang' of self-styled godman Suraj Pal Singh, or 'Bhole Baba' in Fulari village in Hathras on July 2.

According to Hathras Police, interrogation of the accused revealed that some political parties had contacted them some time ago. Meanwhile, the involvement of political parties in the incident through funding is being investigated.

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Hathras SP Nipun Aggarwal said that Dev Prakash Madhukar was arrested by the district SOG of Hathras on Friday evening from Najafgarh (Delhi), while the Sikandra Rao police arrested accused Ram Prakash Shakya from Kailora Chauraha and accused Sanju Yadav from Gopalpur Kachauri, Sikandra Rao on Saturday.

Aggarwal further noted that Dev Prakash Madhukar, due to his long-term involvement with the organization, had become its fundraiser, collecting money to support its operations and conduct Satsang. "Based on the interrogation so far, it appears that a political party might be involved with them for its own political and personal gains," the Hathras SP revealed.

Meanwhile, all bank accounts, movable and immovable properties, and money trails associated with the accused Madhukar are being investigated, and assistance from other agencies will be sought as necessary, Aggarwal informed.

According to Hathras Police, the interrogation also revealed that the preacher's vehicle was driven through the crowd by the accused and their assistants, despite knowing that doing so could cause a stampede and a terrible accident due to the rush for the preacher's blessings.

Additionally, an in-depth investigation is being conducted to determine whether this incident was incited or instructed by someone else. The police stated that if necessary, the arrested assistants and organisers would be taken into police custody and remanded for further interrogation.

The police reported that during the initial interrogation, accused Dev Prakash revealed that he has been working on a contract basis as a junior engineer in the MGNREGA in Etah district since 2010. He has been associated with this organization for years, organizing events and collecting funds for it. He was the main organizer of the Satsang event held in the village of Phulrai on July 2, and he obtained the necessary permissions for this event.

Dev Prakash and other assistants prevented the police administration from intervening at the event site. People were prohibited from doing any videography or photography at the event site. Violating several conditions mentioned in the permit issued by the administration, they disrupted traffic arrangements and other logistics.

The interrogation also revealed that no efforts were made to control the crowd, and all of them fled the scene. (ANI)

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