Nalanda Stampede: Four Priests Arrested After Deadly Temple Tragedy

Brief By Newsbrief / 11:55 AM on 01 Apr 2026

In a major development following the tragic stampede at the Sheetla Temple in Nalanda’s Madhda area, police have arrested four priests as part of an ongoing investigation. The incident, which occurred a day earlier, claimed eight lives and left several others injured, sparking outrage and grief across the region.

Authorities have registered an FIR against 20 named and 20 unidentified individuals, citing negligence in crowd management and lack of proper arrangements. Police teams are conducting raids to identify and apprehend other accused persons involved in the incident.

President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan expressed deep condolences, while Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced ₹6 lakh compensation for victims’ families. The Centre also declared financial aid for the deceased and injured. The tragedy has raised serious concerns over safety protocols at religious gatherings.