Navratri celebrations in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh have been marred by tragedy. At least 15 people were killed when a lorry rammed into devotees at the Shitalamata temple. More than 30 people, including two policemen, were injured. Some of them are in critical condition. Reacting strongly to the incident, the government has removed the Gwalior SP and suspended 8 other police personnel.

The horrific accident took place at the Shitalamata temple, 20 km from Gwalior city, at around 1:30 am on Saturday-Sunday. Thousands of devotees had gathered at the temple as part of the Navratri celebrations. At this time, a lorry with a Punjab registration, loaded with grain, entered a restricted road where heavy vehicles are not allowed. It hit police barricades on this steep road and ran over devotees at high speed. It then hit the temple entrance and a wall and came to a stop. The accident is believed to have been caused by brake failure. Officials suspect that the driver may have taken the shortcut shown by Google Maps.

Many people, from a 13-year-old boy to a 50-year-old woman, lost their lives in the accident. Family members wept as they saw the bodies at the hospitals. The entire area became heartbroken with their grief. "How did the lorry get to a place where even two-wheelers are not allowed?" the victims questioned the government. They alleged that this tragedy happened due to a safety failure.

Reacting strongly to the incident, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav immediately removed Gwalior SP Ravi Bhadauria. A total of 8 police personnel, including three SHOs and a traffic inspector, were suspended. A thorough investigation into the accident was ordered. The state government announced a compensation of Rs. 4 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs. 2 lakh each to those seriously injured. He said that the government will bear all the treatment expenses.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Draupadi Murmu expressed deep grief over the incident. They announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs. 50 thousand to the injured from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund.

The lorry driver, Dilbagh Singh, who fled after the accident, and the owner were arrested by the police in Dholpur, Rajasthan.