Reporters Without Orders Ep 372: Did the Kumbh stampede death toll exceed 82?

This week, host Avdhesh Kumar is joined by Newslaundry’s Sumedha Mittal, BBC’s Abhinav Goel and reporter Akansha Kumar.

Abhinav presents an in-depth report on the true death toll of the Mahakumbh Mela tragedy that happened in January. While the Uttar Pradesh government has officially acknowledged 37 deaths due to the stampede, BBC’s investigation has uncovered at least 82 fatalities so far. Despite government promises, many of the victims' families have yet to receive the promised compensation.

Akansha uncovers allegations of police impunity in Kaushambi in Uttar Pradesh. Her deep dive into police encounters in Uttar Pradesh reveal chilling accounts from families who lost loved ones in suspected extrajudicial killings.

Several families allege that police not only carried out unlawful encounters but also attempted to silence them with bribes. Many of these encounters took place in the same location: Goonghwa Ka Bagh in Kaushambi. Affected families are running from pillar to post in their fight for justice and accountability.

Meanwhile, Sumedha brings a sharply different story from Delhi. Since his appointment as Lieutenant Governor in May 2022, VK Saxena was known for publicly targeting the AAP-led government over civic issues. However, his stance appears to have softened following the BJP’s rise to power in February 2025.

Sumedha’s report explores this shift in tone – tracing how the LG's confrontational approach has evolved and what it reveals about the changing political dynamics in the capital.

Timecodes

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:01:04 - Beyond 82: The Controversy Over Kumbh Stampede Casualties

00:31:20 - Encounter Raj in UP: A Deep Dive into Its Persistent Reality

00:52:24 - Dynamics Between Delhi's LG and the Ruling Party: An observer’s view

00:59: 58 - Recommendations

Recommendations

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Akansha

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Avdhesh

Dr. Ambedkar: Life And Mission

Produced and edited by Hassan Bilal and Tista Roy Chowdhury, recorded by Anil Kumar.

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