Asia/South Asia
3 months ago

India preacher denies blame for crush deaths

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The preacher who led an overcrowded prayer meeting in India where more than 120 people were crushed to death on Tuesday has denied blame, and pledged to co-operate with the police investigation.

A lawyer for the self-styled guru known as Bhole Baba told the BBC the crush occurred "due to some anti-social elements", and blamed a "criminal conspiracy hatched against" his client.

Bhole Baba - whose real name is Narayan Sakar Vishwa Hari - will fully co-operate with the investigation, his lawyer AP Singh said.

Nearly all those killed were women and children, who were attending the satsang - a Hindu religious festival - in Hathras district.

It has sparked outrage in India and questions about a lack of security measures.

Mr Singh also denied reports that security guards at the festival triggered panic by pushing away people who tried to get Bhole Baba's blessing.

“Totally false allegation," Mr Singh told the BBC. "Security staff always provide help to the followers.”

This is one of the worst crushes to happen in India for years.

Shocking images from the aftermath of the disaster have circulated online, of people driving the wounded to hospital in pick-up trucks, tuk tuks and even on motorbikes.

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