At least 82 people were killed in four incidents of stampede at Maha Kumbh in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj on January 29, against the State government’s official claim of 37 deaths, a report by BBC News Hindi claimed.
The report said the families of at least 26 victims were given bundles of ₹5 lakh each by Uttar Pradesh government officials but their names were not counted among those who died in the stampede.
Maha Kumbh stampede death toll: Akhilesh Yadav says Uttar Pradesh Government lied; cites media report
The kin of 37 others who were officially declared dead were given a compensation of ₹25 lakh each through cheques or in their bank accounts.
Several families from across the country told the BBC that they were made to sign on papers which said their family member has died due to sudden fall in health. They shared photographs of cash bundles and the letters they were made to sign by Uttar Pradesh government officials. The BBC met at least 19 other families who have not been paid any compensation at all.
