States » EastPosted at: Oct 24 2026 7:35PM


Police approach Cal HC for permission to collect voice samples from arrested Chorbagan pandal announcers

Kolkata, Oct 24 (UNI) Police officers investigating the Chorbagan Durga puja tragedy on Saturday approached the Calcutta High Court, seeking permission to collect voice samples from the two arrested men allegedly responsible for announcements at the marquee during the October 17 stampede that took a toll of 19 lives.

The police have informed the court that this step is intended to determine whether the voices of Sanjib Raha alias Sentu and Kushal Majumdar alias Kalia match the voice heard in the announcements made over the public address system just before the accident on Maha Saptami evening.

Majumdar was remanded to police custody till November 6. Raha, who also served as the committee’s treasurer, was earlier sent to police remand till October 28.

Police say there were plans to interrogate them together, so as to spot discrepancies in their statements.

Sources say CCTV and other video footage of the exact moment the incident happened are currently being examined. Investigators have already identified several clips in which instructions are clearly audible over the loudspeakers. The audio from the clips is now being sent to a laboratory for analysis. Once the court grants permission, the voice samples will be collected from the arrested duo and sent for forensic testing to see if they match the audio from the footage.

In the course of their investigation, the police have uncovered several startling details. It has been revealed that several stalls were set up along the exit path from the *pandal*—stalls for which, according to the police, no permits had been issued.

The police are currently investigating who authorised the placement of these stalls. While the entrance area was relatively clear, the specific theme design of the Chorbagan Sarbojanin *pandal* was such that external sounds could not penetrate the interior.
Since the announcement — which is now being considered false or erroneous — was clearly intended for visitors outside, questions have arisen as to why an announcement regarding the collapse of the *pandal* was made at all. Investigators are now cross-referencing the timing
of the announcement with the timestamps on the CCTV footage to reach a conclusion.
Furthermore, the city police have dismissed allegations of insufficient cop presence at the scene. At the time of the incident, approximately 150 personnel, including police officers, home guards, and *puja* volunteers — were present, alongside staff from a private security agency. The group included 50 temporary home guards, and the entire operation was overseen by an inspector. As the crowd grew, the situation was assessed, and two Deputy Commissioners — both IPS-rank officers —were deployed to the site.

Regarding the incident, it was noted that some home guards were using ropes to create a barricade, which gave way under the pressure of the crowd. An investigation has been initiated to examine the role of these home guards. Allegations have also been raised that most of them were recruited during the Trinamul Congress regime.
However, the police state that, based on the CCTV footage reviewed so far, there is no evidence to suggest that any police personnel released the ropes. In fact, footage shows police officers inside the venue attempting to direct visitors toward the exit. A police officer mentioned that the investigation is still at a very early stage.

According to police sources, statements from 60 to 70 individuals — including those who sustained injuries — have been recorded so far, as authorities work to reconstruct the events as they unfolded.

It should be noted that before the Durga Puja festivities, the organising committee is required to submit a formal application to the Kolkata Police, detailing the arrangements made. This information is uploaded to a designated portal, after which permission is granted.

The police subsequently verify whether the actual arrangements align with the details provided in the application.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Kolkata Police is currently examining the extent to which the Puja committee deviated from the arrangements they had originally committed to.
An official from city police headquarters Lalbazar stated that the original permit document has been requested from the relevant department to facilitate this part of the inquiry.
UNI SSP BM
Tags: #Police approach Cal HC for permission to collect voice samples from arrested Chorbagan pandal announcers
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