New Delhi, Nov. 2 -- A crush at a privately run Venkateswara Swamy temple in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh claimed the lives of nine devotees and left over 25 injured on Saturday morning.

Following the tragic incident, Hari Mukund Panda, the 94-year-old founder of the temple, asserted that he bears no responsibility for the incident, claiming that worshippers had rushed forward of their own accord during the gathering.

He further stated that he had not notified the police, as he believed the proceedings would be routine, as on any other day, and had not anticipated such a large turnout on Saturday.

Nine individuals - eight women and one boy - were killed, and numerous others were injured in the crush at the temple, which Panda ...