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Kolkata Durga Puja Stampede: The team will comprise officials from the Home Department, a representative of DGP and a representative from the NDRF have been requested
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari meet those injured in the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal stampede. (PTI)
Even as details emerge on Saturday’s Durga Puja pandal stampede that killed at least 19, the Kolkata Police will not be part of the fact-finding team.
The team will comprise officials from the Home Department, a representative of the Director General of Police (DGP), and a representative from the NDRF have been requested. A judge will review the matter.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday visited the injured undergoing treatment in an Apollo hospital in Kolkata, following the tragic stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in North Kolkata.
On Sunday’s meeting, Adhikari said, “It focused on precautionary measures for the immersion process at the riverbanks and the use of traditional, non-motorised boats. Following the recent incident, necessary precautions must be taken. Everyone is engaged in the Puja festivities; ensuring public safety is paramount. All potential shortcomings have been reviewed. Of the 19 deaths, 18 were residents of West Bengal. For each affected family, a team comprising representatives from the civil administration, the police and the local MLA will provide support and remain with the family until the cremation rites are completed…”
Shah had earlier expressed condolences to the families of those killed in the incident, describing the stampede as “extremely distressing”. He also said he had spoken to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to take stock of the situation.
#WATCH | Kolkata: On today’s meeting, West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari says, “It focused on precautionary measures for the immersion process at the riverbanks and the use of traditional, non-motorised boats. Following the recent incident, necessary precautions must be taken. Everyone is engaged in the Puja festivities; ensuring public safety is paramount. All potential shortcomings have been reviewed. Of the 19 deaths, 18 were residents of West Bengal. For each affected family, a team comprising representatives from the civil administration, the police and the local MLA will provide support and remain with the family until the cremation rites are completed…”— ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2026
“I have just received the extremely distressing news of multiple casualties after the stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal. I have spoken with Chief Minister Shri Suvendu Adhikari about this matter. I pray for the peace of the souls of those who have lost their lives in this tragic accident and extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved family members,” Shah said.
At A Glance
A stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in North Kolkata killed at least 19 people.
A fact-finding team comprising officials from the Home Department, the DGP, and the NDRF will investigate the incident.
Kolkata Police imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS across parts of the city from October 18 to October 20.
Kolkata Police arrested seven people in connection with the stampede, including puja committee officials and security personnel.
PROHIBITORY ORDERS
The tragic incident occurred at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in North Kolkata, where a massive rush of devotees led to a fatal stampede that claimed 19 lives and left several others injured.
Following the tragedy, Kolkata Police imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, across parts of the city for three days, effective from October 18 to October 20, to maintain law and order.
According to an order issued by Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nand, the restrictions have been enforced in areas falling under the jurisdiction of the Bowbazar Police Station, specifically bounded by College Street, Central Avenue (CR Avenue), Colootola Street, and Eden Hospital Road.
The prohibitory order bans unlawful assemblies of five or more persons, carrying lathis, lethal or other dangerous weapons, and any activity likely to disturb public tranquillity or cause a breach of peace in the designated zone.
The order was issued in view of concerns over possible violent demonstrations, rallies and meetings that could affect public order and safety. It will remain in force for three days or until further orders.
Kolkata, West Bengal: Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari held a meeting with senior police officials and Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal at Bhavani Bhavan, the West Bengal Police Headquarters, following yesterday’s incident at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal. The meeting focused on measures to prevent similar incidents in the state.— IANS (@ians_india) October 18, 2026
7 ARRESTED
Meanwhile, Kolkata Police arrested seven people in connection with the stampede. According to Kolkata Police, the arrested persons include Raj Kumar Sewda alias Raja (48), the secretary of the puja committee; Santanu Dubey (55), its vice-president; and Biplab Mukherjee alias Joy (48), who was engaged in the construction of a bamboo structure.
The other arrested persons have been identified as Koushik Saha (53), who was involved in crowd management and checking VIP passes; Pintu Dey (51), who was engaged in crowd management; and Suman Chakraborty (30) and Rajesh Pal (29), who were working as private security in-charges.
Kolkata Police has registered a suo moto case under Sections 105, 110 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against the organisers and others.
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Ask News18The fact-finding team excludes the Kolkata Police and comprises officials from the Home Department, a representative of the Director General of Police, and a requested representative from the NDRF, with a judge reviewing the matter.
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Kamalika Sengupta is the Editor (East) at CNN-News18 / News18.com, focusing on politics, defence, and women’s issues. She is a seasoned multimedia journalist with over 20 years of experience reporting…Read More
October 18, 2026, 1:44 PM IST
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