A stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata on Saturday evening killed 19 people and injured 25 others, prompting arrests, safety reviews and fresh crowd-control measures across West Bengal. The state government has announced compensation for victims’ families, while political leaders have demanded accountability over the incident.
Kolkata Police have arrested seven people, including Durga Puja organisers, in connection with the stampede. A court on Sunday remanded them to 10 days of police custody. Police have registered a suo motu case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said temporary home guards deployed at the pandal, along with organisers and authorities who granted permission for the puja, would be investigated for alleged negligence. The state government is also seeking the Calcutta High Court Chief Justice’s permission to constitute a Special Investigation Team under a sitting judge.
The West Bengal government has deployed nine IPS officers to manage Durga Puja crowds in Kolkata, while Kolkata Police has issued an 11-point advisory directing personnel to regulate entry, close pandal entrances during rain, ensure safe evacuation and prevent VIP vehicles from approaching pandals. A high-level committee has begun inspecting major puja venues, with recommendations including wider exits, improved lighting, the removal of bottlenecks and a ban on food stalls near entry and exit gates. Adhikari has also indicated that the government may scrap VIP gates and separate queues at pandals.
The state government has announced compensation of Rs 25 lakh and a Group D government job for the family of each deceased, along with Rs 5 lakh for every injured person. It will also bear the treatment costs of the injured at hospitals of their choice. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for each injured person. The bodies of the victims were handed over to their families on Sunday, while the state health minister said all 25 injured people were stable.
The stampede has triggered political allegations over crowd management and safety arrangements. Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee accused the authorities of maladministration, while Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury demanded an impartial inquiry. The CPI(M) also sought accountability from the state government and authorities. Separately, Kolkata Police has imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita in parts of the city from October 18 to 20, prohibiting assemblies of five or more people and other activities likely to disturb public order. The restrictions and ongoing safety inspections are expected to remain key developments as authorities review arrangements at Durga Puja pandals.