Absconding Bhole Baba emerges four days after Hathras stampede tragedy, releases video message

Four days after 121 people were killed in stampede at a religious gathering in UP's Hathras, Bhole Baba, the former constable-turned-self-styled godman, has said that he was 'deeply saddened' by the incident.

In a video statement released by ANI on Saturday, Surajpal also known as 'Bhole Baba' says, "I am deeply saddened after the incident of July 2. May God give us the strength to bear this pain. Please keep faith in the government and the administration. I have faith that anyone who created the chaos would not be spared. Through my lawyer AP Singh, I have requested the members of the committee to stand with the bereaved families and the injured and help them throughout their lives."

A total of 121 people, mostly women, were killed in the stampede after the preacher's satsang in Hathras' Fulrai village on July 2 in one of the worst tragedies in recent years.

Agencies, including the police, are looking for preacher Bhole Baba for questioning in the case.

The main accused in the FIR Devprakash Madhukar has been arrested as per a PTI report.