Chorbagan Stampede: 10-Day Police Custody For 7 Accused In Deadly Kolkata Pandal Stampede: news

Chorbagan Stampede: Court Grants 10-Day Police Custody for 7 Accused in Kolkata Durga Puja Pandal Tragedy

The Bankshal Court in Kolkata remanded seven individuals to 10 days of police custody in connection with the fatal stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata. The tragedy claimed at least 19 lives and left dozens injured when intense overcrowding and severe bottlenecks triggered a massive surge.

Details of the Accused and Police Investigation

Kolkata Police had initially sought a 14-day remand to question the suspects regarding critical lapses in crowd control, restricted entry-exit routes, and bamboo structural planning. The magistrate granted custody until October 28.

The seven individuals placed in custody include puja committee functionaries, management staff, and private security personnel:

• Raj Kumar Sewda (alias Raja): General Secretary of the puja committee.

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• Santanu Dubey: Vice-President of the committee.

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• Biplab Mukherjee (alias Joy): Contractor associated with the bamboo barricade construction.

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• Koushik Saha & Pintu Dey: Individuals assigned to venue crowd regulation and VIP access management.

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• Suman Chakraborty & Rajesh Pal: Private security supervisors deployed on site.

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Investigators have registered a suo motu case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including provisions concerning culpable homicide not amounting to murder and common intention. Multiple other individuals have also been detained for questioning.

Heightened Security and Administrative Measures

Following the incident, the pandal premises were sealed for inspection by forensic experts, the Special Task Force (STF), and the fire department. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) have been enforced across surrounding zones in north Kolkata to maintain law and order.