Safiya Malik

A Public Interest Litigation was filed before the Supreme Court following the stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station on February 15, which resulted in at least eighteen deaths and left several others injured. The petition, filed by Advocate Vishal Tiwari, sought the constitution of an expert committee to formulate guidelines for effective crowd management at major transportation hubs. The petitioner also urged the Union and State governments to implement the recommendations of the 2014 National Disaster Management Authority report titled “Managing Crowd at Events and Venues of Mass Gathering.”

The petition attributed the incident to mismanagement and inadequate crowd control measures by railway authorities. The plea specifically cited a last-minute change in the departure platform of a train bound for Prayagraj, which led to confusion and overcrowding. The petition emphasized that similar incidents had taken place previously, including a stampede during the recent Maha Kumbh Mela, yet no concrete measures had been put in place to prevent such occurrences. The petitioner submitted that authorities had not utilized available crowd-control resources and technology effectively to ensure passenger safety.

The petitioner stated that Indian Railways must take measures to enhance passenger safety at railway stations. The suggestions included widening corridors, constructing broader overbridges and platforms, ensuring easy access through ramps and escalators, and restricting last-minute changes to train arrival and departure platforms. The petitioner also submitted that railway ticket counters should not issue tickets beyond the station’s capacity to prevent overcrowding.

The petition further criticized the authorities for failing to take necessary precautions despite knowing that the Maha Kumbh event would result in a significant increase in railway passengers. The petitioner referred to media reports and videos on social media that showed overcrowding at railway stations, with passengers packed into train compartments beyond capacity, including in reserved seating areas. The plea also raised concerns regarding the deployment of crowd-control measures, alleging that while technology such as Artificial Intelligence and surveillance systems were extensively used for VIP movement, common passengers faced unmanageable congestion and inadequate safety measures.

The petitioner stated that “these recurring tragedies highlight the urgent need for enhanced crowd management and safety measures at significant transport hubs such as New Delhi Railway Station.” The plea alleged that resources were not being effectively used for the common public, stating, “Today we have sufficient forces, volunteers, we have technology and Artificial Intelligence, and if such incidents still take place, then it is a sorry state of affairs. For a few people or VIPs, the government can deploy all technology and intelligence, but for common people, they are left at the mercy of God.”

The petition also mentioned previous legal efforts made by the petitioner regarding similar issues. Advocate Vishal Tiwari had earlier filed a PIL in connection with a stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela. On that occasion, the Supreme Court declined to entertain the petition and directed the petitioner to approach the High Court.

During the hearing of the present PIL, the State of Uttar Pradesh, represented by senior advocates, informed the Supreme Court that a similar writ petition had already been filed before the Allahabad High Court and was currently pending. The Supreme Court, taking note of this submission, declined to entertain the present petition under Article 32 of the Constitution, stating that since the matter was already under consideration before the High Court, it would not be appropriate for the Supreme Court to intervene at this stage.

The bench, comprising the Chief Justice and Justice Sanjay Kumar, granted the petitioner liberty to approach the Allahabad High Court for relief. The court’s order stated, “In view of the aforesaid position, we decline to entertain the present petition under Article 32 of the Constitution of India with liberty to the petitioner to approach the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad.”

Case Title: Vishal Tiwari v. Union of India & Ors.
Case Number: Writ Petition (Civil) No. 86/2025
Bench: Chief Justice Sanjeev Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar

[Read/Download order]