West Bengal Forms SIT to Probe Kolkata Puja Stampede
The West Bengal government established a six-member special investigation team to probe a Durga Puja stampede in Kolkata that killed 19 people.
The Government of West Bengal established a six-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) on October 21, 2026, to investigate a stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja Pandal in north Kolkata. The tragedy occurred on October 17, resulting in 19 deaths, primarily women and children, and 25 injuries.
Retired Justice Anindita Roy Saraswati chairs the SIT, which is tasked with analyzing crowd surges, structural adequacy, gate management, and potential negligence by the West Bengal Police and the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. The team will review CCTV footage, forensic findings, and medical records to recommend prevention measures. Justice Saraswati noted that the three-month deadline for the report is short but stated the team will strive to meet it.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari initially requested a sitting judge from the Calcutta High Court to lead the probe, but Chief Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge denied the request based on a Supreme Court directive. In response to the tragedy, the state government promised a job and ₹25 lakh in compensation to the families of the deceased.
While seven individuals, including pandal organizers, have been arrested, the probe has faced political criticism. The Mamata All India Trinamool Congress alleged that the investigation lacks purpose because BJP leaders in charge of the pandal have not been held accountable.
