Puri: The administrative inquiry into the tragic stampede that claimed the lives of three devotees near the Gundicha temple in Puri on June 29, 2025, gained significant momentum today.
Anu Garg, Development Commissioner, who is heading the probe, oversaw a public hearing at the Special Circuit House in Puri, where a total of 48 individuals and organizations provided their statements.
This follows a previous hearing in Bhubaneswar where 17 testimonies were recorded. The swift action by the state government underscores the gravity of the incident, which occurred during the highly anticipated Rath Jatra festival.
The stampede unfolded in the early hours of June 29, 2025, reportedly between 3:50 AM and 4:20 AM, near the Saradhabali area in front of the Gundicha Temple, where the chariots carrying Lord Jagannath and his siblings were stationed. Initial reports and eyewitness accounts point to several critical factors that contributed to the disaster:
- Overwhelming Crowds: Thousands of devotees had converged at a narrow section for darshan (viewing of the deities), exceeding the area’s capacity.
- Chaotic Darshan Management: Some witnesses stated that the temporary closure and subsequent re-opening of the darshan system in the pre-dawn hours led to an impatient surge of devotees, causing a ripple effect of pushing and falling.
- Unauthorised Vehicular Movement: A significant and repeatedly highlighted factor by witnesses was the entry of two trucks carrying sacred “Charamala” wood into the already densely packed area. This reportedly constricted space further and exacerbated the chaos, with a perceived lack of adequate police presence to manage their movement.
- Slippery Conditions: Rain-soaked wooden logs placed near the chariots are also believed to have contributed to devotees losing their footing.
In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed deep sorrow, ordered an administrative inquiry, and announced ex-gratia compensation of Rs 25 lakh to the families of the deceased. Puri Collector Siddharth Sekhar Swain and Puri SP Vinit Agarwal were transferred, and DCP Bishnu Pati and Commandant Ajay Padhi were suspended for alleged negligence.
Development Commissioner Anu Garg has been tasked with a comprehensive investigation, mandated to submit her report within 30 days.
Her inquiry aims to ascertain the precise causes of the stampede, identify any lapses in crowd control or administrative management, and propose measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
The state government has also appealed to the public to provide any relevant information, video recordings, or other evidence to ensure a thorough and transparent probe.
The public hearing today marks a crucial step in the ongoing investigation, as authorities gather first-hand accounts to piece together the sequence of events that led to the tragic loss of life.