Dev Prakash Madhukar, the prime accused in the Hathras stampede incident, has been removed from his position as a technical assistant overseeing MGNREGA activities across 20 panchayats in Uttar Pradesh. Madhukar had been serving in this role since 2010 under a contract, with responsibilities including the preparation of bills and vouchers following inspections of development projects funded by MGNREGA in the Sheetalpur block of Etah district.

Block Development Officer Dinesh Sharma of Sheetalpur confirmed that the process to terminate Madhukar’s contract began after he was named as the prime accused in the First Information Report (FIR). The police have announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh for any information leading to his arrest, as Madhukar has been on the run since the incident. An NBW (non-bailable warrant) has also been issued for his arrest.

Inspector General of Police, Aligarh range, Shalabh Mathur, stated at a press conference held at the Hathras police lines on Thursday, “The in-charge of Samagam (satsang) Dev Prakash Madhukar (Engineer), in whose name permission was sought for the satsang, is absconding after being named in the FIR by the Hathras police. A reward of Rs 1 lakh has been declared for his arrest, and an NBW issued. Teams are searching for him.”

Madhukar was notably active in engaging residents of his native village with the self-styled godman Suraj Pal’s (also known as Bhole Baba) organization. He had also contested the village pradhan’s election but was unsuccessful. Approximately 30 residents from Madhukar’s village had attended the satsang in Hathras where the tragic stampede occurred.