Seven Arrested in Kolkata Pandal Stampede Investigation
The tragic stampede at Chorebagan Sarbojanin Durgotsav leads to arrests, raising questions about accountability among BJP leaders.
Seven individuals arrested following a deadly stampede that resulted in 19 fatalities.
BJP leaders linked to the event remain uninvestigated, prompting scrutiny of police actions.
Compensation of ₹25 lakh announced for victims' families, with medical expenses covered for the injured.
In a significant development following the tragic stampede at the Chorebagan Sarbojanin Durgotsav in Kolkata, seven individuals have been arrested. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, resulted in the deaths of 19 people and left 25 others injured. The arrested individuals include members of the Puja committee and security personnel, but notably, no prominent BJP leaders have been detained despite their association with the event.
The investigation has raised questions about the accountability of those involved in organizing the event. Reports indicate that Bijoy Ojha, the BJP MLA from Jorasanko, serves as the chairman of the Puja committee. Additionally, Tamaghna Ghosh, the BJP’s north Calcutta district president, is named as the chief adviser, while Debdeep Adhikari, the nephew of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, is listed as the chief patron. Calls to Ojha for comments on the incident went unanswered, further fueling concerns about the investigation's thoroughness.
The arrested individuals include Raj Kumar Sewda, the Puja committee secretary, and Santanu Dubey, the vice-president, among others responsible for crowd management and security. They were presented in court and remanded to police custody for ten days. Authorities have initiated a suo motu case of culpable homicide at the Girish Park police station, aiming to determine the specific roles of the accused and whether negligence contributed to the disaster.
Preliminary autopsy reports reveal that traumatic asphyxia, caused by chest compression during the stampede, was the primary cause of death for the victims. Some individuals also suffered from internal bleeding and organ damage, underscoring the severity of the incident. The state government has announced a compensation package of ₹25 lakh for each deceased's family and ₹5 lakh for the injured, along with a commitment to cover their medical expenses.
Looking ahead, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari plans to visit the families of the deceased on October 20 and 21 to distribute compensation cheques. Meanwhile, 14 of the injured remain hospitalized, with five in critical care. The local administration is coordinating with families to ensure proper support and communication during this difficult time.
