From religious gatherings to victory parades, stampedes in India expose gaps in law enforcement, crowd planning, and on-ground response. The need for reform has never been more urgent.
STAMPEDE DISASTERS IN INDIA: LEGAL FRAMEWORK & DEADLY TRENDS
Gist of NewsIndia witnessed yet another tragic incident on June 4, 2025, during the RCB Victory Parade in Bengaluru, where a stampede killed 7 and injured dozens. This follows closely after the Maha Kumbh Stampede in January 2025 , that resulted in 30 people lost their lives, also Hathras stampede on July 2, 2024, which claimed over 120 lives. With such incidents recurring at religious, cultural, and sporting events, the urgent need to revisit India’s legal and regulatory framework for crowd safety becomes evident. |
WHAT IS A STAMPEDE?
A stampede is a sudden, uncontrolled crowd movement, usually driven by panic or excitement, which can cause injury or death. According to NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority), a stampede occurs due to a breakdown in crowd flow and poor space management.
INFAMOUS STAMPEDE CASES IN INDIA
Table given below mention few of the disasters occured in India due to mismanagement of the crowd.
| Year | Location/Event | Deaths |
| 1954 | Allahabad Kumbh Mela | ~800 |
| 2005 | Wai Temple, Maharashtra | 340 |
| 2008 | Naina Devi Temple | 145 |
| 2008 | Jodhpur Chamunda Devi Temple | 168 |
| 2013 | Allahabad Railway Station (Kumbh) | 36 |
| 2017 | Mumbai Railway Bridge | 22 |
| 2022 | Vaishno Devi Temple | 12 |
| 2024 | Hathras, UP | 121 |
| 2024 | Prayagraj Kumbh Mela | 30 |
| 2025 | RCB Victory Parade, Bengaluru | 7 |
MAJOR CAUSES OF STAMPEDES
Disasters due to mismanagement of crowd are broadly categorised by National Disaster Management Authority these are stated below:
Structural Causes:
- Weak or illegal structures
- Narrow entry/exit points
- Lack of emergency exits
Fire & Electric Triggers:
- Unauthorized fireworks
- Short circuits or power failure
Crowd Behavior:
- Panic-driven reactions
- Craze to reach religious figures/celebrities
- Rumors of danger
Security Failures:
- Under-deployment of police
- No real-time monitoring
- Lack of emergency medical response
IMPACT OF STAMPEDES
Every Disaster be natural or man made has ever lasting impact on the lives of people:
- Loss of Lives: Hundreds die or are injured every year.
- Trauma: Survivors face long-term psychological stress.
- Loss of Public Trust: Religious and public gatherings see reduced turnout.
- Legal Repercussions: Organizers and authorities may face prosecution.
NDMA GUIDELINES FOR PREVENTION
The National Disaster Management Authority is a body that deals with any type of disaster that occurs around the country and provides guidelines for planning and managing evacuation in emergency situations. As per NDMA’s “Managing Crowds in Events and Gatherings” guidelines:
- Risk Assessment: Detailed planning of crowd flow and venue capacity.
- Event Categorization: Based on expected crowd size, nature of gathering, and vulnerability of the crowd.
- Crowd Flow Management: One-way flow, regulated entry/exit points.
- Infrastructure Standards: Adequate emergency exits, medical aid stations, and fire safety norms.
- Real-time Surveillance: CCTV monitoring, control rooms, PA systems.
- Training and Drills: Staff, volunteers, and police must undergo drills and briefings.
- Emergency Response Protocols: On-site ambulances, tie-ups with nearby hospitals.
CHALLENGES IN IMPLEMENTATION
These are the challenges faced while implementing the guidelines by NDMA:
- Most guidelines are not binding, only advisory.
- Poor inter-departmental coordination.
- Event organizers often skip mandatory permissions.
- Local authorities lack trained manpower for crowd control.
- Political/religious influence overrules safety planning.
LEGAL FRAMEWORK IN INDIA
Penal Provisions:
BHARATIYA NYAY SANHITA
- Section 105 – Culpable homicide not amounting to murder
- Section 125 – Endangering human life/personal safety
- Section 118 (1)(2) – Causing hurt with dangerous means
- Section 190 – Liability of unlawful assembly members
Other Laws
- The Disaster Management Act, 2005
- The Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 (if disease spread is a concern)
- The Police Act, 1861 – Crowd control responsibilities
- The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 – Mandatory for large gatherings
1. TYPES OF CROWD & LEGAL DEFINITIONS
| Term | Legal Meaning |
| Crowd | Large group of individuals gathered without a structured purpose |
| Mob | Disorderly crowd, often violent |
| Assembly | Peaceful gathering for lawful purposes |
| Unlawful Assembly | Section 141 IPC – Common objective to breach peace or commit offence |
| Riot | Section 146 IPC – Use of violence by an unlawful assembly |
2. CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS
| Article | Description |
| Article 19(1)(b) | Right to peaceful assembly |
| Article 19(3) | Reasonable restrictions for public order, security, sovereignty |
3. ROLE OF POLICE & ADMINISTRATION
| Authority | Powers & Responsibilities |
| Police | Maintain law & order, prevent offences, manage public gatherings |
| Magistrate/DM | Grant permissions, issue crowd control directions, ensure safety |
| Police Act, 1861 – Section 23 | Prevent crime, manage assemblies |
4. STATUTORY PROVISIONS
| Law/Act | Relevant Sections | Powers/Provisions |
| Disaster Management Act, 2005 | Sec 24, 33, 34, 41, 51–53, 58, 65 | Crowd regulation, safety enforcement, use of private resources, liability for obstruction |
| Police Act, 1861 | Sec 15, 17, 30, 30A, 31 | Deployment of special forces, regulation of public events |
| Madras City Police Act, 1888 | Sec 34–35, 41, 41A, 71, 74, 76, 76A | Licensing of venues, crowd dispersal, fire safety, penalties |
| Kerala Police Act, 2011 | Sec 37, 45, 64, 67–69, 76, 79, 81 | Community policing, zone restrictions, permit suspensions |
| UP Melas Act, 1938 | Sec 6–10 | Fair/Mela management, site allocation, licensing, safety compliance |
| Cinematograph Act, 1952 | Sec 10–12 | Licensing of public film exhibitions and event regulation |
| Delhi Cinematograph Rules, 1953 | – | Rules for hall safety, exits, seating, and parking |
5. INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS
| Principle | Description |
| UN Guidelines | Minimum force principle – Firearms only for violent assemblies in extreme cases |
ENFORCEMENT & ACCOUNTABILITY
- Police & District Administration: Primary responsibility during events.
- Organizers: Must take permissions, ensure safety measures.
- Insurance Companies: Required to provide compensation cover.
- State Disaster Management Authorities: Should audit high-risk events.
KEY JUDICIAL DIRECTIVES
Below mentioned are key directives by the judiciary:
- Rahul Jain vs. Union of India (2014) – Post-Ratangarh Temple stampede, SC issued crowd control guidelines.
- Suo Motu PIL on Kumbh Mela (2013) – Allahabad HC mandated detailed crowd management plans.
- Kerala HC (Sabari Mala, 2011) – Court directed capping of pilgrim numbers and tech monitoring.
- Karnataka HC (2009) – After a fireworks event stampede, HC ordered detailed risk assessments.
- Supreme Court (2000) – Directed that religious events must follow crowd control protocols and have multiple exit points.
WAY FORWARD
By combined efforts auch man made disasters can be avoided by following the government guidelines:
- Make NDMA Guidelines legally binding
- Limit crowd size at events based on risk analysis
- Use of AI-based crowd simulation and prediction tools
- Regular training and mock drills for event staff and police
- Real-time monitoring with CCTV + drones
- Involve private sector for tech-based crowd control
- Launch a National Crowd Safety Portal with mandatory registration and clearance
CONCLUSION
From religious melas to sports parades, India’s crowd safety protocols are dangerously outdated. The Hathras, Kumbh 2025, and RCB Parade stampedes should not just make headlines — they should drive legal reform and civic responsibility. It’s time we prioritize safety over sentiment and law over laxity.
STAMPEDE DISASTERS IN INDIA: LEGAL FRAMEWORK & DEADLY TRENDS
Source: NDMA
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