In response, AP Singh, a lawyer for the preacher, denied wrongdoing by organisers, saying they did not conceal anything from authorities, adding instead that the stampede was part of a conspiracy by “anti-social elements” whom he did not identify.
Police have arrested nine people involved in organising the event, Singh said.
The government said the panel had not ruled out “the possibility of a major conspiracy behind the accident”, but it needed further investigation.
A senior district official in Hathras, the site of the incident, gave permission for the event without inspecting the venue, the state government added.
Local government and police officials did not take the event seriously and did not inform senior officials about it, the government said in its statement.
“They have been held responsible for negligence in performing their duties,” it added.
The crush happened when devotees ran after the preacher’s departing car, trampling over one another to seek his blessings and get a closer look at him.
