Judicial probe begins into Varanasi stampede

A judicial probe has begun into the Varanasi stampede which had claimed 25 lives and left over 100 people injured.
Retired judge of Allahabad High Court Justice Rajmani Chauhan visited the incident spot yesterday, officials said.
The incident happened October 15, last year when thousands of Jai Guru Dev followers were on their way to attend a religious congregation, two kms away in a village in Chandauli district.
As many as 25 people, mostly women, were killed and over 100 injured, while crossing the overcrowded Ganga bridge.
Following the incident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minster Akhilesh Yadav had constituted a one-man inquiry commission to probe the stampede.

Justice (retd) Chauhan, visitedDomri and Katesar villagesand talked to the villagers there.
He is likely to record the statements of officials, who were on duty the day the incident occurred, and even of the members associated with the sect, who have been responsible for organising religious congregations, officials said.
Nearlyfiveofficials were also suspended for negligence.