States » EastPosted at: Oct 22 2026 9:42PM


Chorbagan stampede: Idol immersion allowed, pandal must remain intact, says SIT chief

Kolkata, Oct 22 (UNI) Retired Justice Anindita Roy Saraswati, head of the special investigation team (SIT) probing the Chorbagan Durga Puja stampede, on Thursday said the idol could be immersed but the pandal must be preserved in its existing condition to facilitate the investigation.
Speaking after inspecting the site in central Kolkata, she observed that the pandal had inadequate lighting and extremely narrow entry and exit routes, which might have contributed to the tragedy that claimed 19 lives.
"The idol can be immersed, but the pandal must remain exactly as it is. I want it to be preserved in its present condition, and the immersion must be carried out accordingly," Roy Saraswati said.
The six-member SIT constituted by the state government following a directive from the Calcutta High Court visited the pandal at around 6.50 pm on Thursday.
The team, accompanied by senior IPS officer Javed Shamim and other officials, inspected the interiors and exterior of the structure, examining its layout, entry and exit points and the circumstances surrounding the stampede.
Videos of the site were also recorded.
"The lighting has been kept as it was at the time of the incident. The illumination was very poor," the SIT chief said, acknowledging concerns raised after the tragedy.
She also pointed out that the passageways into and out of the pandal were extremely narrow, suggesting that the entry of a large number of people through the restricted space might have triggered the disaster.
Roy Saraswati clarified that the stampede had not occurred inside the puja pandal but just outside its exit gate.
The SIT will question everyone involved in the decoration and management of the pandal, including the artist responsible for its design.
The role of the Kolkata Police and the municipal authorities, both of which have faced questions over arrangements at the venue, will also come under scrutiny.
The team will examine whether adequate CCTV cameras had been installed at the site and investigate the circumstances surrounding an alleged announcement over the public address system that the pandal was collapsing.
According to eyewitnesses, the announcement prompted panic among visitors and triggered a rush to leave the premises, aggravating the situation.
The SIT chief said the role of those who made the announcement would also be investigated.
Meanwhile, the Kolkata Police continued its parallel investigation into the stampede on Thursday, deploying forensic experts and advanced digital technology to examine the site.
Officers from the detective department and the homicide wing, along with forensic specialists, conducted a detailed examination using a 3D scanner to digitally map the disaster site.
Police sources said the technology would help create an accurate three-dimensional model of the site, documenting its layout and structural features to aid the reconstruction of events.
Digital data and samples collected during the exercise are expected to help investigators establish the sequence of events and determine the causes of the stampede.
In a significant development, the anti-rowdy squad of Kolkata Police detained Sanjib Raha, alias Sentu, treasurer of the Chorbagan Durga Puja committee, from Nadia on Thursday in connection with the controversial announcement.
Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Kunal Aggarwal confirmed the detention.
Police are questioning Raha to establish his alleged role in the announcement and determine whether others were involved.
Investigators are also examining the circumstances and motive behind the announcement. Further legal action will be decided after questioning.
The state government constituted the SIT under the direction of the Calcutta High Court to ensure a high-level inquiry into the tragedy.
The panel includes senior officials from the state administration, including representatives of the Disaster Management and Civil Defence Department, the Special Task Force and the state police leadership.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has warned that anyone found guilty of negligence will face strict legal action.
The investigation is expected to examine the responsibilities of all those involved in organising the puja and managing the crowd, alongside the role of the authorities responsible for safety arrangements. UNI SAG CDS
Tags: #Chorbagan stampede: Idol immersion allowed# pandal must remain intact# says SIT chief
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