The Allahabad High Court has issued a stern directive to the Uttar Pradesh government, ordering it to finalize compensation claims for a victim of the Mahakumbh stampede within 30 days. This order comes in response to a petition filed by Uday Pratap Singh, who lost his wife in the tragic incident that occurred on January 29, 2025, during the Mauni Amavasya Snan at the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj.
Court Criticizes Government's Handling
In a recent order dated January 8, 2026, a Division Bench comprising Justices Ajit Kumar and Swarupama Chaturvedi emphasized the urgency of resolving the compensation issue. The court referenced a previous hearing in June 2025, where it had strongly rebuked the state government for its handling of the matter. During that hearing, the court described the government's approach as "a pretence and an excuse" for asking aggrieved families to "beg for money."
Details of the Petition
Uday Pratap Singh, a resident of Bihar's Kaimur district, filed the petition after his wife's death in the stampede. Initially reported missing, her body was later discovered by their son in a hospital mortuary and handed over to the family on February 5, 2025. Singh highlighted several lapses in the authorities' response, including the failure to prepare an inquest and autopsy report at the time of handing over the body. These documents were later completed in Bihar, identifying the cause of death as fractures to the rib cage, consistent with injuries sustained in the stampede.
Despite submitting his compensation application to the Prayagraj Mela Authority, Singh faced delays and opposition from the government counsel during the initial court hearings. The government disputed the facts of the case, but the court, in its June 2025 order, noted that the occurrence of the stampede could not be denied and criticized the state's "untenable" stance and "apathy to the plight of the citizen."
Court's Directives and Observations
The High Court has now directed both the Commission probing the stampede and the Mela Authority to finalize Singh's compensation claim within 30 days and submit a compliance report by the next hearing scheduled for February 18, 2026. The court reiterated its earlier observations, stressing that while the stampede may have been beyond the state's control, it was the government's "bounden duty" to provide compensation with "utmost grace and dignity" after announcing an ex-gratia scheme.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 25 lakh to the kin of each deceased, with the official death toll from the stampede standing at 37. The court also raised concerns about the handling of the victim's body, questioning why it was released without proper documentation and why the hospital failed to maintain records of how the body arrived at its mortuary.
Broader Implications
This case underscores ongoing issues in disaster management and victim compensation in large-scale public events in India. The court's firm stance highlights the need for timely and compassionate responses from authorities to support affected families. The Mahakumbh stampede, which resulted in 30 reported deaths, has drawn significant attention to safety protocols and administrative accountability during major religious gatherings.
The Allahabad High Court's intervention serves as a reminder of the judiciary's role in upholding citizens' rights and ensuring that government promises are fulfilled without unnecessary delays. As the state government moves to comply with the court's order, this ruling may set a precedent for similar cases involving compensation for victims of public tragedies.
