Kumbh Mela: BBC investigation reveals hidden deaths at India festival crush

The Uttar Pradesh government says 37 people were killed in the Kumbh Mela crush, but the BBC has verified at least 82 deaths.

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A BBC Hindi investigation reveals that Indian officials quietly paid compensation to the families of more people than they admit died in a deadly crowd crush at the Kumbh Mela, a Hindu festival which is the world's largest religious gathering.

The official death toll is 37, but the BBC found 26 additional cases where families received partial compensation in cash, and 18 more deaths where no payment was made.

On 25 March, a team of plain-clothed police officers from India's northern Uttar Pradesh (UP) state arrived in neighbouring Bihar with bundles of cash.

The team visited Gopalganj city, where they met the family of 62-year-old Tara Devi. They handed over 500,000 rupees ($5,758; £4,291) in cash to her son, Dhananjay Gond, and asked him to record a statement on video.