The deadly stampede at the Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar on Sunday morning was triggered by rumours that an electric wire on the stairs to the shrine had broken.
Six people have been killed in the stampede that also left several others injured.
Haridwar District Magistrate Mayur Dixit said the rumours of snapped electric wire sparked panic among the public and that an investigation has been launched to identify the person responsible for spreading the furphy.
"We found through photos and videos that someone spread the rumour of an electric wire breaking. While looking at the injured or the dead, we did not get any such indication. We will investigate who spread the rumour that caused the stampede, and a magisterial inquiry will be set up investigating cameras and other means," Dixit told ANI news agency.
EDC Superintending Engineer Pradeep Kumar also dismissed electrocution chances, saying they had thoroughly checked the system.
“We got news that it might have happened due to electric current, our team reached the site, we normally do testing every 15 days, our system is very secured, there are no naked wires, the wires are insulated here. There is no report of electrocution. We thoroughly checked our system, there is nothing like that," he told PTI.
The stampede took place at the C Dev marg (Paidal marg) of the temple. According to SSP Pramendra Singh Dobal, at least 34 people were brought to the hospital, of which six were confirmed dead.
Being a Sunday, the day witnessed a large number of devotees at the temple perched atop the Shivalik Hills at a height of over 500 feet. Videos from the spot showed a massive crush of people, including children and women, making their way to the temple.
The shrine is one of the five sacred sites or Panch Tirthas of Haridwar.
State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), fire brigade and local police led the relief and rescue operations.
Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief at the loss of lives and said all assistance is being offered to those injured.