Kolkata Court Grants 10-Day Custody to 7 in Durga Puja Stampede
Seven individuals linked to a deadly stampede during Kolkata's Durga Puja have been remanded to police custody for ten days.
Seven accused include key members of the organizing committee and security personnel.
The stampede resulted in 19 fatalities, prompting a culpable homicide investigation.
Chief Minister announced compensation for victims' families and initiated a fact-finding committee.
In a significant legal development, a local court in Kolkata has ordered ten days of police custody for seven individuals arrested in connection with a tragic stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in the Chorbagan area. The incident, which occurred on Saturday evening amid heavy rainfall, resulted in the deaths of 19 people, prompting outrage and calls for accountability.
The accused include prominent figures from the organizing committee, such as Raj Kumar, the secretary of Chorebagan Sarbojanin Durgotsab Samity, and vice-president Santanu Dubey. Others arrested include Biplab Mukherjee, the architect of the bamboo structure, and Koushik Saha and Pintu Dey, who were responsible for crowd management. Suman Chakraborty and Rajesh Pal, tasked with private security, are also among those detained.
During the court proceedings, the public prosecutor emphasized the gravity of the situation, arguing that the actions of the accused directly contributed to the loss of life. However, defense attorneys for some of the accused contended that their clients were engaged in rescue efforts during the chaos and had no affiliation with the event's organization. They asserted that their clients were wrongfully implicated.
The investigation is focusing on video evidence, particularly an announcement made during the stampede that urged attendees to evacuate due to fears of structural collapse. Investigators are working to identify who made this announcement and the circumstances surrounding it. Officials have indicated that the event was poorly managed, with inadequate security measures and narrow access points contributing to the disaster.
In response to the tragedy, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced a compensation package for the victims' families, including Rs 25 lakh for the deceased and Rs 5 lakh for the injured, with the state covering medical expenses. He also revealed the formation of a fact-finding committee led by a high court judge to investigate the incident further. Meanwhile, major organizers in Kolkata have been instructed to halt visitor admissions temporarily as safety protocols are reassessed.
