KOLKATA: Police have arrested seven people, including office-bearers of the Chorbagan Durga Puja organising committee and private security personnel, in connection with a stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata that claimed 19 lives and left around 25 people injured.

The stampede occurred on Saturday evening, October 17, at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal during the Maha Saptami celebrations. The incident triggered concerns over crowd management and safety arrangements at large religious gatherings.

According to reports, police initially detained 14 people for questioning and subsequently arrested seven of them. Investigators are examining the circumstances that led to the crowd surge and whether lapses in crowd control or safety arrangements contributed to the tragedy.

Seven people arrested in connection with the incident

Those arrested include Raj Kumar Sewda, secretary of the Chorbagan Durga Puja committee, and its vice-president, Santanu Dubey.

The other accused have been identified as Biplab Mukherjee, who was involved in constructing a bamboo structure at the venue; Koushik Saha and Pintu Dey, who were reportedly responsible for crowd management; and private security in-charges Suman Chakraborty and Rajesh Pal.

Police have registered a case on their own initiative under Sections 105, 110 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The provisions relate to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, attempted culpable homicide and joint liability, respectively.

Investigators are questioning those arrested to establish the sequence of events and determine whether any negligence or failure to follow safety protocols contributed to the loss of life. Further action may follow as the investigation progresses.

The arrests do not establish guilt, and the allegations will have to be examined through the legal process.

Crowd surge amid rain preceded stampede

The incident reportedly occurred around 7 pm to 7.40 pm, amid heavy rain and a large gathering of devotees and visitors at the pandal.

According to initial accounts, people waiting to enter the venue rushed forward as the weather deteriorated, triggering a dangerous crowd surge. Some visitors reportedly fell during the rush, resulting in a stampede-like situation.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said preliminary information suggested that an announcement made over the loudspeaker by the organisers had contributed to the sudden movement of the crowd. The precise nature of the announcement and its role in triggering the incident were not immediately established.

Some victims’ relatives also reportedly raised concerns about a whistle blown by private security personnel. These accounts remain part of the broader inquiry into how the crowd began moving and whether the arrangements at the venue were adequate.

The investigation is expected to examine crowd-control measures, access and exit arrangements, security deployment and the management of visitors during the busy festival period.

Death toll rises as authorities identify victims

The death toll rose to 19 as authorities continued efforts to identify those killed and inform their families. Around 25 people were reported injured, with the injured taken to hospitals for treatment.

Officials were working to establish the identities of the deceased and coordinate with their relatives. The incident has also prompted renewed attention to emergency preparedness at major festive gatherings, where large crowds can create serious risks if movement is not managed effectively.

The state administration has announced compensation of Rs 25 lakh and a government job for the family of each person who died. Those injured are to receive Rs 5 lakh each, according to reports.

The authorities have also indicated that the circumstances surrounding the tragedy will be investigated and responsibility established based on the findings.

Investigation underway

The arrests mark a significant development in the investigation into the Chorbagan pandal stampede. Police are examining the roles of the organising committee, crowd-management personnel and private security staff, while seeking to determine how the situation escalated so rapidly.

The tragedy has raised questions about the planning and implementation of crowd-safety measures during Durga Puja, when prominent pandals attract large numbers of visitors.

Further details are expected to emerge as investigators question the arrested individuals, review available evidence and reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the stampede.