Inquiry into Puri Rath Yatra stampede to be completed in 30 days: Odisha Minister

Odisha’s Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan on Sunday (June 29, 2025) said that an administrative inquiry into the Puri stampede incident that left three people dead and 50 others injured would be completed within 30 days.

The stampede took place near Shree Gundicha Temple in Puri early on Sunday (June 29) during a ceremony related to the ongoing Rath Yatra festivities.

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Mr. Harichandan said that Development Commissioner Anu Garg will submit her inquiry report to the Chief Minister within the stipulated 30 days.

“The State government will take stern action against those responsible for the tragic incident,” the Law Minister said.

Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO), Puri, Kishore Satapathy, told PTI that all the injured people have been discharged from a government health facility by 8 p.m..

“All the injured have been discharged from a hospital after asserting their health condition. All are now stable,” he said.

Replying to a question, the CDMO said that the death toll in the stampede tragedy was three.

Meanwhile, Youth Congress activists gheraoed the chief minister’s residence here, demanding the resignation of CM Mohan Charan Majhi and Law Minister P Harichandan.

A scuffle broke out between police personnel and youth Congress members. The agitators were later picked up by the police when they tried to breach barricades near the CM’s residence.

In a social media post, Odisha BJP president Manmohan Samal expressed grief over the stampede incident and described it as “unfortunate”.

“The state administration should be careful to avoid such incidents in future. We welcome the immediate decision of the chief minister and express condolences to the families of the deceased.”