World · India Bureau
Two Chor Bagan club officials arrested in Kolkata Durga Puja stampede probe
Police have arrested two members of Chor Bagan club in connection with an announcement that preceded the fatal stampede at a Kolkata Durga Puja pandal on October 17. A six-member investigation team is examining the circumstances that led to the tragedy at the venue's narrow, poorly lit exit.
LSN India ·
The arrests mark a significant development in the investigation into the stampede that claimed multiple lives during festivities at the Chor Bagan pandal in central Kolkata. Authorities have identified the two club members' announcement as a potential trigger for the crowd crush at the exit point, which witnesses described as cramped and inadequately illuminated.
The dedicated investigation team has been examining the sequence of events leading up to the October 17 incident. Initial findings suggest that an announcement made by club officials may have prompted a sudden surge in the crowd attempting to exit the venue simultaneously, creating dangerous conditions at the narrow passage.
Investigators have been scrutinizing safety protocols and crowd management measures at the pandal. The dimly lit exit has drawn particular scrutiny, with authorities questioning whether adequate safety precautions were in place despite the venue's high visitor footfall during the popular Durga Puja celebrations.
The stampede has intensified focus on safety standards at temporary structures erected during major festivals across West Bengal. Authorities have indicated that the probe would also examine whether the club had obtained necessary permissions and complied with safety regulations prescribed for public gatherings.