Rtd judge Murthy to probe Tirupati stampede
Tirupati: The state government has appointed Justice M. Satyanarayana Murthy, a retired judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, to conduct a judicial inquiry into the stampede at Padmavathi Park in Tirupati on January 8. The incident during the Vaikunta Ekadasi festival resulted in the death of six devotees, who had gathered there to collect Vaikunta Dwara Darshan tokens. Diversion of police security to events attended by chief minister Chandrababu Naidu elsewhere allegedly led to the grim situation. The appointment was made under the provisions of the Commissions of Inquiries Act, 1952. The government issued an official notification to this effect on Wednesday. Justice Murthy will “investigate the causes and circumstances that led to the stampede, examine the adequacy of the arrangements made for the distribution of tokens, and identify any lapses or failures in the process.” The inquiry would also aim to establish accountability by identifying those responsible for any shortcomings, the GO said. The commission would also make recommendations for preventing such incidents in future. It has been granted the powers of a civil court, enabling it to summon and examine witnesses, requisition documents and gather evidence. It would submit the findings and recommendations within six months. Notably, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had promised a judicial inquiry the day after the incident. He had also ordered disciplinary action against errant officials. After inspecting the site, he suspended DSP Ramana Kumar and TTD Goshala director Harinatha Reddy in this connection. Tirupati SP L. Subba Rayudu, TTD joint EO Gowthami and Vigilance head Sridhar were transferred too.
Tirupati: The state government has appointed Justice M. Satyanarayana Murthy, a retired judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, to conduct a judicial inquiry into the stampede at Padmavathi Park in Tirupati on January 8.
The incident during the Vaikunta Ekadasi festival resulted in the death of six devotees, who had gathered there to collect Vaikunta Dwara Darshan tokens. Diversion of police security to events attended by chief minister Chandrababu Naidu elsewhere allegedly led to the grim situation.
The appointment was made under the provisions of the Commissions of Inquiries Act, 1952. The government issued an official notification to this effect on Wednesday.
Justice Murthy will “investigate the causes and circumstances that led to the stampede, examine the adequacy of the arrangements made for the distribution of tokens, and identify any lapses or failures in the process.” The inquiry would also aim to establish accountability by identifying those responsible for any shortcomings, the GO said.
The commission would also make recommendations for preventing such incidents in future. It has been granted the powers of a civil court, enabling it to summon and examine witnesses, requisition documents and gather evidence. It would submit the findings and recommendations within six months.
Notably, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had promised a judicial inquiry the day after the incident. He had also ordered disciplinary action against errant officials. After inspecting the site, he suspended DSP Ramana Kumar and TTD Goshala director Harinatha Reddy in this connection. Tirupati SP L. Subba Rayudu, TTD joint EO Gowthami and Vigilance head Sridhar were transferred too.
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