Tirupati stampede: CM Naidu orders judicial probe, suspends officials

Tirupati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has announced a judicial inquiry into the stampede at the Tirupati temple, which claimed six lives and left several injured. He also ordered the transfer of three senior officials, including the district Superintendent of Police, reported PTI.

Speaking at a press conference, Naidu revealed that two officials, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), were suspended for negligence. ''I noticed some loopholes or leakages in the administration and monitoring mechanisms in Tirupati which should have been 'perfect','' Naidu stated.

Expressing his condolences, the Chief Minister announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 25 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 2 lakh for those injured in the tragedy.

Naidu attributed the stampede partly to a change in the system of issuing tokens. He explained that the previous government had introduced a new method of issuing tokens in Tirupati instead of the earlier practice of distributing them at Tirumala Hills.

The incident occurred on Wednesday night at Bairagi Patteda near MGM School, where a large crowd had gathered to collect tickets for Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam at the Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple. Six devotees lost their lives, and nearly 40 others were injured in the chaos.

The Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam, a 10-day event, is set to begin on January 10 and attracts devotees from across the country. Earlier in the day, Naidu visited the hospital to meet those receiving treatment for their injuries.