Kolkata Durga Puja Stampede: 12 Detained, SIT Formed After 19 Deaths

A tragic stampede at the Chorbaagan Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata has prompted immediate law enforcement action, with authorities detaining a dozen individuals connected to the event organisation. The incident, which resulted in 19 fatalities, has triggered a comprehensive police response aimed at establishing accountability and preventing similar tragedies.

Among those taken into custody are senior members of the puja organising committee, whose roles in event management and crowd control arrangements are under scrutiny. Investigators are examining whether adequate safety measures, crowd management protocols, and structural precautions were implemented at the heavily attended pandal venue.

Authorities have invoked Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Chorbaagan pandal site, establishing it as a crime scene under investigation. The legal framework allows investigators to examine circumstances surrounding the stampede, including potential negligence or procedural lapses.

Police have established a special investigation team dedicated to the case, signalling the gravity with which authorities are treating the incident. The SIT's mandate includes examining the pandal's structural integrity, assessing crowd management capabilities, and determining whether organisational failures contributed to the catastrophic loss of life.