Seven Accused Remanded in Custody Over Kolkata Puja Stampede Deaths

Authorities in Kolkata have remanded seven accused persons into police custody for ten days following a fatal stampede at a Durga Puja pandal that occurred around 7:40 pm on Saturday. The incident unfolded as heavy rain lashed the area, causing panic among devotees gathered at the temporary shrine.

The stampede resulted in multiple fatalities, though the exact toll has not been specified. Police have registered a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, indicating that investigators believe the deaths resulted from negligence rather than intentional criminal conduct.

The ten-day custody period will allow investigators to conduct detailed questioning of the accused and gather evidence regarding the circumstances that led to the stampede. Authorities are examining factors including crowd management protocols, structural safety measures at the pandal, and whether adequate precautions were implemented to handle the influx of devotees during the religious festival.

The incident has renewed focus on safety standards at temporary structures erected during major religious gatherings in India. The Durga Puja festival, celebrated extensively across West Bengal and other regions, typically draws large crowds to communal worship spaces.