States » EastPosted at: Oct 22 2026 4:45PM


Chorbagan Durga idol immersion in jeopardy as SIT probe into stampede deaths continues

Kolkata, Oct 22 (UNI) The immersion of the Durga idol at Chorbagan Sarbojanin in North Kolkata is in jeopardy as the investigation into the stampede that claimed 19 lives on October 17 continues, with the police yet to grant clearance for the ritual.
No date has been fixed for the immersion, as the authorities await a site inspection and further proceedings by the Special Investigation Team (SIT).
On Wednesday, the day of Vijaya Dashami, the traditional ‘Debi Baran’ ritual was not performed at the pandal.
Only the ceremonial immersion of the ‘ghat’ took place, while the immersion of the idol remained pending.
“The members of the Special Investigation Tema will inspect the place of occurrence closely before we can allow the idol to be immersed. It might take some time,” one of the members of the investigation team said.
The pandal, which had drawn large crowds during the Durga Puja festivities, remained deserted on the festival’s final day. The premises continued to be cordoned off by the police following the tragedy, turning the once-bustling celebration site into an area under investigation.
The SIT, constituted following consultations with the Calcutta High Court, is conducting a detailed probe to establish the circumstances that led to the stampede.
Members of the team are expected to visit the site shortly to examine the incident and prepare a report based on their findings.
The idol can be immersed only after the police grant the necessary clearance.
The investigation will focus on the sequence of events leading to the tragedy, including the precise time and location of the incident and whether the number of visitors exceeded the pandal’s designated capacity.
The team will also examine the crowd management arrangements in place at the time.
Among the other aspects under scrutiny are the possible impact of rain and reports of rumours, including claims that the pandal was collapsing, which may have triggered panic among visitors.
The SIT has been tasked with examining these possible factors to determine what led to the deadly incident.
The tragedy cast a shadow over Durga Puja celebrations in the city, with the festivities at Chorbagan coming to an abrupt halt.
The continued police cordon and uncertainty over the idol’s immersion have added to the sombre atmosphere at the site.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has called for a zero-tolerance approach towards those found responsible for the incident, making it clear that no one would be spared if evidence established their involvement.
The SIT was constituted to ensure an impartial investigation.
The Kolkata Police and the Kolkata Municipal Corporation have been kept out of the team in the interest of transparency.
With the site inspection and investigation still pending, the date of the idol’s immersion remains uncertain.
The immediate priority is to establish the circumstances behind the deaths and fix responsibility for the tragedy that claimed 19 lives.
UNI SAG ARN
Tags: #Chorbagan Durga idol immersion in jeopardy as SIT probe into stampede deaths continues
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