The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has admitted a plea seeking compensation of Rs 30 lakh for each of the families who lost a loved one in the Godavari Pushkaram stampede in Rajahmundry on Tuesday.
High Court advocate and human rights activist P. Sai Krishna Azad filed a petition under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Commission Act, 1993, to the National Human Rights Commission in New Delhi, making Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and collector of East Godavari party to it.
Mr. Azad said he appealed to the commission to direct the Andhra Pradesh Government to pay ex gratia of Rs 30 lakh and constitute a committee to probe the incident and register criminal cases against those whose negligence led to the death of pilgrims.
Mr. Azad said his petition was admitted by the commission and it would soon call for a hearing on it. The NHRC has the power to direct the State Government to enhance ex gratia. Under Article 21 of the Constitution, everyone was entitled to the right to life.
The death that occurred in the stampede was caused by administrative failure and thus violated the right to life, he said.
Article by The Hindu news paper
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/nhrc-petitioned-to-probe-pushkaram-stampede/article7427106.ece