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Puri Rath Yatra Stampede Inquiry Records 147 Statements Ahead of July 30 Deadline

Following site visits across Puri and Bhubaneswar, the inquiry team recorded 147 testimonies in four sessions before beginning analysis of video evidence ahead of its July 30 report

Overview

  • Four hearing sessions have been conducted in Bhubaneswar and Puri, with 17 attendees in the capital session and 42 officers and ICCC staff recording statements at the Special Circuit House in Puri.
  • Development Commissioner Anu Garg took charge of the administrative inquiry after the Odisha government suspended the Puri district collector and superintendent of police on June 30.
  • Testimony has been gathered from a broad array of stakeholders, including Jagannath Temple staff, police personnel, public devotees and media representatives.
  • The inquiry team completed an on-site examination at the Shree Gundicha temple precincts and is reviewing video recordings obtained from both media outlets and eyewitnesses.
  • A final report assessing procedural lapses and proposing strengthened crowd management protocols is due for submission by July 30.