BJP seeks CBI inquiry into Kumbh stampede

Gopinath Munde alongwith Narayan Rane visited those injured in the stampede near Ram Kund, even as they reiterated their demand for a CBI inquiry into the incident.

Maharashtra BJP chief Gopinath Munde alongwith the leader of opposition in the state legislative assembly Narayan Rane have visited those injured in the stampede near Ram Kund on Wednesday, even as they reiterated their demand for a CBI inquiry into the incident.

"The state government should take moral responsibility for the incident as district administration has totally failed to make proper arrangements during royal bath resulting in such a major stampede," Munde and Rane told reporters after meeting the injured at Nasik Civil Hospital on Thursday night.

In one of the worst tragedies at a religious congregation in recent times, 35 pilgrims including 28 women, were killed and 72 others injured on August 27 in a stampede and drowning at the ongoing Kumbh in Nashik.

Alleging that the administration, especially city police, are now telling stories that mahants and sadhus threw silver-bead or coins leading to the stampede, the two leaders demanded a CBI inquiry into the stampede incident.

"If CBI inquiry is not possible, it may be conducted by sitting judge of the High Court," they added.