Overview
- A stampede at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal on October 17 killed 19 people and injured about 25 after a sudden crowd surge during heavy rain.
- CCTV and witness statements show loudspeaker warnings that part of the pandal was collapsing appeared to trigger panic and a rush toward a narrow exit, and police have identified two men who made the announcements.
- Kolkata Police arrested treasurer Sanjib (Sentu) Raha and announcer Kushal (Babu) Majumdar after tracing SIM activity and CCTV footage, bringing the total number of people held in the case to nine.
- Forensic teams and the state‑appointed six‑member SIT have reported concrete safety failures at the site, including a seven‑foot exit corridor narrowed by AC units, dim lighting, a locked emergency/VIP gate and ventilation shortfalls that may have worsened suffocation.
- The arrests and charges under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita have intensified political disputes over selective prosecution and the role of influential committee figures while the SIT has three months to report recommendations and assign institutional accountability.