The Allahabad High Court has bly reprimanded mela officials for the non-payment of compensation to the families of devotees who died in the stampede during Mahakumbh 2025. The Court clarified that the compensation amount should be paid immediately, and a copy of the related decision should be presented to the Court by November 13, 2025.
Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court has shown strictness in the matter of non-payment of compensation to the families of devotees who died in the stampede during Mahakumbh 2025. The Court directed mela officials to make appropriate decisions in accordance with the law. The Court stated that compensation should be paid as soon as possible, and a copy of the related decision should be submitted by November 13 to allow for proper investigation and to avoid any unnecessary delays.
Case: Ramkali Bai's Petition
Ramkali Bai, from Raisen district in Madhya Pradesh, had filed a petition in this matter. Her complaint was that her husband, Mohanlal Ahirwar, died in a stampede that occurred in the mela area during the Mauni Amavasya bathing festival. Following this, the state government had announced compensation for the deceased's family. However, Ramkali Bai states that she has not yet received the compensation amount.
The petition also stated that she was issued her husband's death certificate only after the court's intervention, and now she also possesses the post-mortem report (panchnama) of her husband's body. Despite this, the compensation has not been paid.
Allahabad HC Issues Orders to Mela Officials
A division bench of Justice Ajit Kumar and Justice Swaroopama Chaturvedi, hearing the petition, issued strict directives to the mela officials. The Court stated that compensation should be paid immediately in accordance with the law and rules. The Court clarified that the affected families are facing mental and financial difficulties due to the non-receipt of compensation. Therefore, mela officials have been ordered to submit a copy of the related decision to the High Court by November 13. The Court also stated that any delay would not be tolerated, and accountability of the officials would be determined.
Advocate Arun Yadav, representing the petitioner, argued that Ramkali Bai and her family have submitted all necessary documents. Meanwhile, Additional Advocate General Manish Goyal and Additional Chief Standing Counsel A.K. Goyal represented the state government. The Court, considering the arguments of both sides, acknowledged the necessity of immediate compensation.
Many devotees lost their lives in the stampede during Mahakumbh 2025. The mela area becomes extremely crowded during the Mauni Amavasya bathing festival. This incident occurred due to deficiencies in security and crowd management. Several devotees, including Mohanlal Ahirwar, died in this stampede.
