SC refuses to entertain Hathras stampede PIL

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a public interest litigation (PIL), seeking a court-monitored investigation into the recent Hathras stampede in which more than 121 people were killed.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud asked petitioner-lawyer Vishal Tiwari why he had not approached the Allahabad High Court and instead directly approached the apex court.

The bench added that such incidents are "disturbing" but the high courts are equipped to deal with such cases. The petitioner argued that the issue regarding non-availability of proper medical facilities to deal with such incidents is a pan-India concern and the PIL can be dealt with by SC also. The argument, however, did not find favour with the bench.


The PIL had sought the appointment of a five-member expert committee under the supervision of a retired apex court judge to probe the July 2 stampede.