Human stampedes are tragic moments when large crowds move uncontrollably, often resulting in loss of life and serious injuries. They are not “accidents” in a vacuum, most are preventable disasters caused by overcrowding, insufficient planning, poor crowd control, and gaps in legal compliance. In India, where religious festivals, political rallies, celebrations, and public gatherings draw huge crowds, stampedes have tragically occurred multiple times in 2025 alone.
Before we look at specific events, it’s important to understand how law and disaster management frameworks relate to these tragedies.
Disaster Management Law in India: The Legal Foundation
India’s legal framework treats situations like stampedes under disaster management law, public safety regulations, and general criminal and civil liability:
Disaster Management Act, 2005 (DM Act)
This Act is the core legal framework for disasters in India. Although it doesn’t define “stampede” specifically, it covers man-made disasters and sets out statutory duties for planning, prevention, mitigation, and response. It also establishes statutory bodies—the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs), and District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs)—to ensure legal compliance
Law-centric solutions under the DM Act include:
- Mandatory pre-event risk assessments and disaster management plans for mass gatherings
- Crowd safety standards and guidelines issued by NDMA
- Enforcement powers for authorities to issue legally binding directions
NDMA Crowd Management Guidelines
NDMA has issued comprehensive crowd management guidelines for mass gatherings. These cover pre-event planning, real-time monitoring, emergency response, and post-event reviews, which are crucial for preventing stampedes.
Public Liability and Civil Liability Laws
In addition to the DM Act, laws like the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 require organizers to ensure compensation if people are harmed at public events.
Criminal Law (IPC/Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita)
Sections dealing with negligence (like causing death by negligence) can be applied where poor planning contributes to deaths in a crowd.
Maha Kumbh Mela Stampede — Prayagraj (January 29, 2025)
What Happened
During one of the largest religious gatherings in the world the Maha Kumbh Mela crowds surged toward the riverbank for a sacred bath on Mauni Amavasya. Overcrowding at narrow access points caused multiple crushes, killing dozens.
Why It Occurred
- Overwhelming numbers at chokepoints
- Inadequate real-time crowd monitoring
How the Law Could Have Helped
Strict enforcement of NDMA crowd management guidelines with legal consequences for non-compliance
Mandatory statutory crowd and risk assessments under the DM Act before granting permissions
Legally binding crowd capacity limits and certified access routes
With these legal measures effectively applied, authorities could have legally required venue designs and crowd flow plans that prevented bottlenecks.
New Delhi Railway Station Stampede (February 15, 2025)
What Happened
At New Delhi railway station, overcrowding on a footbridge caused a deadly crush as passengers moved toward trains during the Kumbh travel rush.
Why It Occurred
- Train delays and overcrowding
- Lack of crowd control at stations
How the Law Could Have Helped
Pre-event risk certification for mass travel flows, enforced legally by rail authorities
Crowd monitoring systems mandated by local DDMA plans
Scheduled entry/exit controls backed by police orders under DM Act powers
Rail infrastructure managers could have been required by law to prepare crowd control plans linked to mass event travel peaks.
RCB Celebration Stampede — Bengaluru (June 4, 2025)
What Happened
A victory celebration outside Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium led to a crowd surge when too many fans gathered without proper access controls, resulting in at least 11 deaths.
Why It Occurred
- Lack of crowd limits
- Unregulated entry/exits
How the Law Could Have Helped
Crowd control and safety certifications as part of event permits issued under disaster management norms
Local legislation or state crowd control law (for example, Karnataka’s new crowd control bill) making organizers accountable for compliance
Public liability insurance enforcement to ensure financial accountability
Legal requirements for crowd safety plans before issuance of event permits would ensure that crowd design, monitoring, and emergency response were in place.
Karur Political Rally Stampede — Tamil Nadu (September 27, 2025)
What Happened
A political rally in Karur caused a deadly crowd crush when thousands surged forward after delays, resulting in at least 41 deaths and many injuries.
Why It Occurred
- Overcrowding beyond managed capacity
- Ignored police safety advice
How the Law Could Have Helped
Statutory crowd management plans required for political public gatherings under the DM Act
Legally enforceable coordination between organizers and police
Penal consequences under IPC/BNS for violating crowd safety orders
Laws requiring certified safety plans for rallies—not just permissions—could have forced organizers to implement crowd flow controls and legal compliance.
Venkateswara Temple Stampede — Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh (Nov 1, 2025)
What Happened
A large gathering of devotees on Ekadashi caused overcrowding on narrow paths, leading to a fatal stampede that killed at least nine people.
- Poor crowd planning at temple premises
- Narrow and shared entry/exit routes
How the Law Could Have Helped
Mandatory crowd safety certification for temple trusts (risk management plans)
NDMA guidelines made statutory through local DDMA implementation plans
Civil and administrative liability provisions under disaster management law
With legal compulsion for risk assessments and disaster plans for temples hosting mass gatherings, authorities could have compelled safety infrastructure improvements.
Law-Centric Solutions: From Statutes to Safety
Here’s how legal frameworks can prevent future tragedies:
Mandatory Pre-Event Planning
- Disaster management plans with legal validity
- Crowd risk assessments and certified capacity limits
Statutory Crowd Safety Standards
- NDMA guidelines made enforceable by SDMA/DDMA orders
- Uniform protocols for mass gatherings
Accountability and Liability
- Criminal negligence provisions under IPC/BNS
- Public liability insurance requirements
- Administrative penalties for non-compliance
Coordination Orders
- Legal powers for police, DDMA, and local authorities to supervise crowd safety
- Regular drills and safety audits required by law
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