In a shocking incident, more than 120 people were crushed to death at an overcrowded gathering led by a self-styled guru known as Bhole Baba in India. The preacher has denied any blame for the tragic incident and has pledged to fully cooperate with the ongoing police investigation.

According to a lawyer representing Bhole Baba, the crush occurred as a result of "anti-social elements" and claimed that a "criminal conspiracy" had been orchestrated against his client. In response to the incident, the police have arrested six individuals who were part of the organizing committee for the event.

The majority of the victims were women and children who had gathered at the satsang, a Hindu religious festival, in Hathras district. The incident has sparked outrage across India, raising questions about the lack of security measures in place.

Bhole Baba, whose real name is Narayan Sakar Vishwa Hari, has expressed his full cooperation with the investigation, as stated by his lawyer. Additionally, the lawyer denied reports suggesting that security guards at the festival had triggered panic by pushing away people seeking Bhole Baba's blessings, describing these allegations as "totally false."

The tragedy at Pulrai village where the religious gathering took place is considered one of the worst crushes to have occurred in India in recent years. Shocking images from the aftermath of the disaster have circulated online, showcasing the desperate attempts of locals to transport the wounded to hospitals using pick-up trucks, tuk tuks, and even motorbikes.

Initial police reports indicate that permission had been granted for 80,000 individuals to attend the event, but the actual turnout exceeded 250,000 people. Chaos ensued as the preacher departed from the venue, with eyewitnesses recounting how people lost their footing and fell on top of each other as they rushed towards Bhole Baba. Many of those who were sitting or squatting on the ground were tragically crushed as people ran after the preacher's vehicle.

Eyewitness Yogesh Yadav described how hundreds of women chased after Bhole Baba's car, with some even crossing the highway in an attempt to catch a glimpse. In the midst of the chaotic scene, numerous women fell into the drain adjacent to the highway, leading to a cascade of falling bodies.

The police report also indicates that some individuals tried to escape to nearby mud-soaked fields but were forcibly stopped by the organizers, resulting in further casualties.

Background checks reveal that Bhole Baba was originally known as Suraj Pal and had worked as a police constable before being suspended due to a criminal case. He was subsequently reinstated after being cleared by the court but left his position in 2002. Over the years, he has garnered a large following in Hathras and neighboring districts, with an ashram located in Mainpuri, approximately 100km away from Pulrai village.

As the investigation into this horrific tragedy continues, Bhole Baba remains at his ashram, according to his lawyer. At this stage, he has not been named in the initial police complaint.

The incident highlights the need for improved safety measures and crowd control at such events to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.