Maha Kumbh Live Updates: UP Congress to hold ‘shanti paath’ for stampede victims

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar will visit Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj on Saturday following the recent stampede that claimed at least 30 lives. UP DGP has deployed seven senior police officers for Basant Panchami Snan, while the state government earlier assigned seven IAS officers for security and crowd management. The stampede toll stands at 48, exceeding the official count of 30, with discrepancies in state-wise figures. Reports suggest a second unacknowledged stampede near Sangam, prompting Mela police to scan CCTV footage. A judicial panel, led by Justice (Retd.) Harsh Kumar, has begun its probe. Meanwhile, Akhilesh Yadav accused the BJP government of concealing the actual toll and denying death certificates to some victims, questioning possible evasion of compensation. Stay with TOI for live updates.