The congregation that was responsible for the deaths in Hathras was around Baba Narayan Hari alias Saakar Vishwa Hari 'Bhole Baba', a former policeman who turned into a religious preacher and gained a following, especially in western Uttar Pradesh. Known as Surajpal before he took up the 'baba' moniker, the preacher is a native of Bahadur Nagar in Kasganj district.
