Allahabad High Court Imposes Strict 30-Day Deadline for Kumbh Mela Stampede Compensation
In a significant development, the Allahabad High Court has issued a firm directive to the Commission of Inquiry and the Kumbh Mela Authority, mandating them to finalize the compensation claim for the husband of a Maha Kumbh Mela stampede victim within a strict 30-day timeframe. The court decisively rejected the Uttar Pradesh state government's request for further delays, which was based on awaiting the commission's final report.
Court's Stern Warning and Previous Criticisms
Hearing a writ petition filed by Uday Pratap Singh, a division bench comprising Justices Ajit Kumar and Swarupama Chaturvedi delivered this crucial order. The bench issued a clear warning that non-compliance with this directive would compel the court to take a serious view of the matter, indicating potential legal consequences for the authorities involved.
This ruling follows the court's earlier strong stance on June 6, 2025, when a vacation bench of the High Court had come down heavily on the Uttar Pradesh government. The court had criticized the administration's unacceptable delay in disbursing ex gratia compensation to the families of those who tragically died in the stampede. In that previous hearing, the court had termed the state government's conduct as "untenable and reflective of apathy to the plight of the citizens." The bench had emphatically stated that once the government had announced compensation, it was its "bounden duty" to ensure timely and dignified payment to the affected families.
State Government's Arguments and Court's Rejection
During the recent proceedings on January 9 this year, the state government presented its case, submitting that the Commission of Inquiry had already recorded the petitioner's statement on December 17, 2025. The government contended that the issue of death during the stampede was being thoroughly examined in coordination with the mela authority. Furthermore, the state argued that the inquiry's timeline had been extended to serve the larger public interest, as many dependents and guardians of victims were approaching the commission late, and their statements were still being recorded.
However, the bench remained unconvinced by these arguments for delaying the compensation payment any further. The court observed: "Although this court on June 6, 2025, passed a detailed order requiring the authorities to file their personal affidavit at this stage, we find it necessary to get the issue of claim of compensation of the petitioner finalized at the earliest."
Specific Directives and Compliance Requirements
Consequently, the court issued precise directives, ordering both the Commission of Inquiry and the Kumbh Mela Authority to finalize the petitioner's compensation claim within the next 30 days from the date of its order on January 8. The High Court specifically directed the Additional Advocate General Anoop Trivedi, who represents both the state government and the mela authority, to file the decision taken by these authorities by the next hearing date scheduled for February 18.
The court made it unequivocally clear that if the compliance affidavit is not filed by the stipulated deadline, the judiciary will be compelled to take a serious view of the matter, potentially leading to further legal action against the responsible parties.
Background of the Tragic Incident and Previous Concerns
In its previous detailed order, the court had noted with grave concern several disturbing aspects of the case. The petitioner's wife, who suffered severe crush injuries to her rib cage during the stampede, was handed over from the Motilal Nehru Medical College mortuary in Prayagraj without a proper inquest or autopsy report. This lack of proper documentation had raised serious questions about the handling of the case and added to the family's distress during an already traumatic period.
The court's latest order represents a significant step toward ensuring justice and timely relief for the victims' families affected by the tragic Kumbh Mela stampede. By imposing a strict deadline and rejecting further delays, the judiciary has reinforced the principle that administrative processes must not hinder the fundamental right to compensation for those who have suffered irreparable loss.
