Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 01:12pm on 01 Jul 2025,Tuesday India
A BBC investigative report has challenged the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government’s claim that only 37 people died in the January 29 Kumbh Mela stampede in Prayagraj. The BBC found evidence of 81 deaths, based on interviews with 100 affected families across 11 states. It revealed that 26 families were given partial compensation quietly, while 18 families received none. Victims’ relatives allege that many deaths were falsely recorded as due to illness to avoid compensation. The state had claimed it paid ₹25 lakh to 35 families. Critics say this raises serious concerns about data manipulation and a possible cover-up. (PC: BBC, Reuters)
