Kumbh stampede: Bengal families claim bodies without death certificates

Families of two women from West Bengal, who were among the 30 pilgrims killed in a stampede at Maha Kumbh 2025, alleged on Thursday that the bodies were handed over to them at Prayagraj without death certificates. They claimed that they received only a piece of paper mentioning that the body was given to him.

A senior West Bengal minister alleged that “total mismanagement” prevailed at the Maha Kumbh Mela.

Two elderly women from the state — Basanti Poddar of Kolkata’s Golf Green area and Urmila Bhuniya of Salboni in Paschim Medinipur district — were killed in the pre-dawn stampede at Maha Kumbh on Wednesday.

Recollecting the incident, Poddar's son Surajit said, "We were going towards Sangam Ghat. No policeman was there then. It (the stampede) happened at around 1.00-1.30 am. We were standing and suddenly there was a mad rush of thousands of people from nowhere."

He said he did not get the time to take his mother to hospital. “Later, we were referred to a medical college. I was given a vehicle and a policeman. No death certificate has been issued. They have told me that the death certificate will be sent to the local police station here," Surajit said.

He claimed that the note he was handed over had no official stamp, nor was it signed by any official of the Uttar Pradesh government. Surajit said he was made to sign a paper before his mother's body was handed over to him.

His version was similar to what happened to the family of Urmila Bhuniya. Her brother Dulal said no death certificate was issued for his sister by the UP government. "I came to know about the incident when my nephew telephoned me. They are coming back in a vehicle. He told me that no death certificate was issued and the body was handed over to him along with a note," he said.

West Bengal power minister Arup Biswas alleged that “total mismanagement” had led to the devastation. "The Uttar Pradesh government has failed to organise the mela. It's only an advertisement. There was no plan for the safety and security of pilgrims. They should have handed over the death certificates. This is not the process,” said Biswas, who is the MLA from Tollygunge. Surajit’s residence is in Golf Green, which falls under the Tollygunge assembly segment.

Local councillor Tapan Dasgupta sniffed a conspiracy behind the UP government not issuing the death certificates. Speaking to PTI, Dasgupta said, "I can sense a conspiracy behind the UP government not issuing the death certificate. I doubt the woman will get the compensation. If needed, I will file an FIR," he said.

Meanwhile, millions of devotees flocked to the Triveni Sangam and other ghats at Maha Kumbh to take a dip on Thursday, with the UP government ramping up efforts to ensure crowd management and safety a day after the stampede tragedy.

More than 2.06 crore devotees took the holy bath till 8.00 pm, according to the state government. The crowd pressure was relatively lower on Thursday, and all bridges were reopened, allowing smoother movement within the mela area, officials said.

With the focus on crowd management, the state government said no VIP protocols would be enforced by the administration on the special bathing days of 3, 12 and 26 February. More than 29.64 crore devotees have taken the snan until Thursday.

As devotees braved the pre-dawn chill and reduced visibility to proceed towards the ghats for the ritual bath, many others spent sleepless nights waiting for news of their missing loved ones.

According to a circular, the government said it had announced the decision on VIP movements before the start of the Kumbh Mela, and strict implementation of this directive has now been initiated.

"This initiative aims to ensure a smooth and memorable experience for general pilgrims, allowing them to participate in the sacred baths without disruptions caused by VIP movements, route diversions, or security restrictions," it said.

Additionally, the government has mandated that VIP and VVIP movements must be notified at least one week in advance.

The government also appealed to the public to exercise patience during the expected large gatherings on Basant Panchami, Magh Purnima, and Mahashivratri and urged them to take necessary precautions while participating in these bathing festivals.

DIG Maha Kumbh Vaibhav Krishna said the police are actively working on security arrangements for the upcoming Amrit Snan on Basant Panchami Snan (3 February), ensuring tight measures in the mela area.

He said all bridges have been reopened, allowing smoother movement within the mela area. However, before Basant Panchami, new restrictions will be imposed at key locations for better crowd management and more police personnel and security forces will be deployed, Krishna added.