The Supreme Court on Monday refused to hear a PIL
for specific guidelines to ensure safety of devotees attending the Maha Kumbh,
where at least 30 people were killed and 60 injured in a pre-dawn stampede at
Sangam area in Prayagraj.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and
Justice Sanjay Kumar noted the submission of the Uttar Pradesh government that
a plea was already filed in the Allahabad High Court on the issue and the
present petition should be not examined in the apex court.
Terming it an unfortunate incident, the top court
asked the petitioner advocate Vishal Tiwari to move the Allahabad High Court.
This is an unfortunate incident. But, you go to the
Allahabad High Court, the bench told Tiwari.
The top court noted the submissions of senior
advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the UP government, that a judicial
inquiry was initiated.
The PIL was filed in the top court on January 30, a
day after the incident in the stampede in Prayagraj.
The incident took place on the occasion of Mauni
Amavasya, one of the most auspicious days of the Hindu calendar.
The petition, filed a day later under Article 32 of
the Constitution by Tiwari, sought guidelines to prevent stampede incidents and
protect the fundamental rights of equality and life under Article 21.