Dev Prakash Madhukar, the main accused in the Hathras stampede, has been removed from his role as a technical assistant overseeing MGNREGA activities across 20 panchayats in Uttar Pradesh since 2010 under contract.
Madhukar’s responsibilities included preparing bills and vouchers following inspections of development projects funded by MGNREGA in Sheetalpur block of Etah district in the state.
Addressing Madhukar’s termination, Block Development Officer Dinesh Sharma of Sheetalpur stated that the process to remove him from his position and terminate his contract was initiated after he was named as the prime accused in the FIR.
The police have also announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh for information leading to his arrest. Madhukar also faces an NBW for being on the run after the incident.
‘The in charge of Samagam (satsang) Dev Prakash Madhukar (Engineer), in whose name permission was sought for the satsang, is absconding after being named in FIR by the Hathras police. A reward of Rs 1 lakh has been declared on his arrest and NBW issued. Teams are searching for him,” Inspector General of Police, Aligarh range, Shalabh Mathur told the media on Thursday.
According to the police, Madhukar was actively involved in encouraging residents of his native village to join the organisation of self-styled godman Suraj Pal, also known as Bhole Baba. At least 30 people from him village had attended the satsang in Hathras.
Additionally, Madhukar had previously contested and lost in the village pradhan election. His wife is a panchayat assistant, and they both reside in Sikandra Rau town of Hathras.
‘No clean chit has been given’
Senior official investigating the case told CNN-News18 that police teams have intensified their search for Hari Sakar Baba and Dev Prakash Madhukar in Rajasthan, Haryana, and parts of Eastern Uttar Pradesh, adding that no one has been given a clean chit, not even Bhole Baba.
“We also want to question the Baba on various aspects. However, our prime accused is the person who had on record taken permission for the event,” the official added.
‘Administration Made Lapses’: Rahul Gandhi
Earlier today, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi visited Hathras and met with the family members of the victims of the stampede, where at least 121 people, mostly women, died at the satsang of Baba Bhole on Tuesday.
Criticising the administration for lapses in the incident, Gandhi stated, “I don’t want to speak from a political prism, but there have been some lapses on part of the administration. There have been mistakes, which should be identified.”
The Congress leader also called upon Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to release “maximum compensation” for the victims without delay.
(With inputs from agencies)
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