Bengal Forms SIT to Probe Chorbagan Stampede, Seeks Report in 3 Months
The SIT will also investigate the possible role of overcrowding, adverse weather, gate management, rumours, electrical failure and inadequate entry and exit arrangements, it said.
By : Rajib Chowdhuri
Update: 2026-10-21 13:06 GMT
KOLKATA: Four days after a stampede at the Chorebagan Sarbojonin Durgotsob puja pandal in Girish Park claimed 19 lives and left 25 people injured, the West Bengal government on Wednesday constituted a six-member special investigation team (SIT), headed by a retired judge, to probe the tragedy and submit its report within three months.
A notification issued by Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal said the decision was taken “in consultation with” the Calcutta High Court. Retired Justice Anindita Roy Saraswati has been appointed chairperson of the SIT.
The other members are disaster management and civil defence department principal secretary Rajesh Kumar Sinha, special task force director general Jawed Shamim, a representative of state DGP S.N. Gupta not below the rank of additional director general, a home department representative not below the rank of joint secretary and a representative of the National Disaster Response Force in Kolkata.
The notification stated, “The SIT may request the state government to induct any other officer, as may be required for the discharge of its functions. The SIT shall examine the matters set out in the foregoing recitals and undertake such further inquiry as may be necessary, subject to applicable laws and procedures.”
It added, “All concerned departments, authorities, agencies and persons shall extend full cooperation to the SIT and provide such records, information and assistance as may be required for the inquiry. The SIT shall submit its report, together with its findings and recommendations, to the State Government within 3 months from the date of issue of this Order, for consideration and further action as deemed appropriate in accordance with law.”
The notification came a day after a Calcutta High Court division bench comprising Chief Justice R.V. Ghughe and Justice Mohammad Shabbar Rashidi declined the chief secretary's request for a sitting judge to head the inquiry and allowed the government to appoint a retired judge.
Earlier, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had announced a judicial probe and said the government would request the Chief Justice, through the chief secretary, to nominate a sitting judge.