The Allahabad High Court has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the January 29 stampede at the Mahakumbh Mela in Allahabad, which resulted in 30 deaths and left 60 injured.

The petition, filed by Keshar Singh and two others, also sought a directive for a comprehensive report on irregularities and mismanagement at the Mahakumbh, along with action against those responsible.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Bhansali and Justice Kshitij Shailendra observed that the plea lacked clarity, as it failed to specify from whom the report was being sought.

The court further noted that the request for a CBI inquiry and compensation for the victims' families lacked sufficient grounds, given that an inquiry commission appointed by the Uttar Pradesh government under the Commissions of Inquiry Act was already investigating the incident.

Referring to its ruling in Suresh Chandra Pandey vs. State of Uttar Pradesh and Others, the court emphasized that the inquiry commission’s scope was comprehensive enough to address the concerns raised in the PIL.

Additionally, the bench pointed out that the 19-page petition relied heavily on newspaper reports and cuttings, which are considered hearsay, and held that PILs cannot be based on such sources.