A Kolkata Durga Puja stampede probe has been launched to investigate the October 17 tragedy at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata, which killed 19 people and injured 25. The six-member special investigation team aims to submit its findings within three months, despite concerns that the deadline may be challenging.
Retired Justice Anindita Roy Saraswati, who heads the panel, said on Thursday that the team would make its best efforts to meet the deadline set by the West Bengal government. The team was constituted in consultation with the Calcutta High Court to establish the circumstances behind the tragedy and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents.
Investigation to Examine Crowd Surge and Venue Capacity
Justice Saraswati said the team would meet soon to prepare a roadmap for the investigation and visit the accident site to determine what caused the stampede.
The panel will examine the sequence of events leading to the incident, including what triggered the initial crowd surge, the number of people present at the venue and whether attendance exceeded the site's assessed safe capacity.
Investigators will review CCTV footage, mobile phone videos, forensic findings, call records, police station and control room logs, medical records and other relevant evidence.
Organisers and Emergency Response Under Scrutiny
The probe will also assess the preparedness and response of the organisers, police, private security personnel, volunteers, ambulance services, hospitals, fire services and civic authorities.
The objective is to determine whether crowd management arrangements and emergency response measures were adequate, and to identify shortcomings that may have contributed to the loss of lives.
The findings are expected to inform recommendations for improving safety arrangements at large public gatherings, including major religious and cultural events.
Six-Member Panel to Recommend Safety Measures
Besides Justice Saraswati, the team includes the principal secretary of the Disaster Management and Civil Defence Department, senior police representatives, an official from the Home and Hill Affairs Department and a representative of the National Disaster Response Force in Kolkata.
The panel will investigate the circumstances surrounding the stampede, evaluate the response of the authorities and organisers, and propose steps to reduce the risk of similar tragedies.
With 19 people dead and 25 injured, the investigation will seek to establish what happened at the Chorbagan pandal and identify practical measures to strengthen crowd control and emergency preparedness.
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