Kolkata Chorbagan stampede: 7 remanded to 10-day custody; safety checks ordered

Court remand, arrests and case

A Kolkata court on Sunday sent the seven arrested people to police custody for 10 days. Police had sought a longer remand, while the defence argued the accused were outsiders who had gone to see the puja and then tried to help when people began to struggle in the crowd.

Defence lawyer MD Yashim Raheman told the court: “We informed the court that these individuals were outsiders; they had come to witness the Durga Puja celebrations. Upon observing the heavy crowding--where many people were in distress--they stepped in to assist with rescue efforts...Regarding the police custody (PC), the court has granted it until the 28th. Everyone has been remanded to police custody until the 28th. The police had requested custody until the 1st.”

Police, however, have maintained that organisers and those responsible for managing entry and exit points will be examined for lapses in crowd control and emergency readiness. Reports said a Special Task Force probe has been initiated.

The tragedy has also triggered a wider administrative response. A high-level committee began visiting prominent Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata on Sunday to examine safety arrangements, including the condition and placement of entry and exit gates and lighting.

What happened at Chorbagan

The stampede unfolded around 7:30–7:40 pm on October 17, when a sudden downpour hit north Kolkata and visitors rushed towards the Chorbagan pandal area, according to preliminary accounts. People sought shelter as the crowd thickened. The surge in a confined space quickly turned dangerous.

Reports from the scene pointed to narrow access routes and crowding near the approach to the pandal. Video from inside the venue showed panic as devotees tried to move away from the crush while others pushed forward, leaving little room to regain balance once people began to fall.

As the crowd surged, screams and confusion spread. Rescue efforts began on the spot, with people pulling others to safety before ambulances and police teams arrived. The injured were taken to hospital, where doctors and interns dealt with a sudden influx of trauma cases.

One intern at Medical College was quoted as saying, “There are no basic emergency facilities available here; we are being forced to refer patients to private hospitals,” reflecting the pressure on public hospitals after the incident.

The dead included visitors from outside Kolkata. The family of Sriparna Poddar, from Baidyabati in Hooghly district, travelled to the city to receive her body. Her foster sister, Ripa Das, said the family was shocked by the loss and alleged that better arrangements could have prevented the tragedy.

Neighbour Gouri Das Chatterjee also criticised the authorities, alleging inadequate crowd management and claiming that preparations were prioritised for VIP visits rather than ordinary visitors.

Compensation, helplines and safety checks

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari held a high-level meeting with senior officials at Bhawani Bhawan on Sunday and announced compensation for families of those who died. Kin of the deceased will receive ₹25 lakh each, according to the announcement.

The high-level safety review panel includes Disaster Management Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Director General of Fire Services Anuj Sharma. Their inspections began from Santosh Mitra Square near Sealdah station, a marquee that draws heavy footfall, and were expected to extend to other large community pujas.

Kolkata Police released helpline numbers for those needing assistance:

• 8003455678
• 03322141310

Investigators are expected to question witnesses and examine crowd-control measures at the Chorbagan venue, including the management of queues, barricading and emergency access for ambulances. The remand allows police to interrogate the arrested people and collect evidence related to the planning and on-ground handling of the crowd.

Durga Puja draws vast crowds across Kolkata each year, with many pandals set up in dense neighbourhoods where lanes are narrow and foot traffic can swell quickly after work hours and during peak rituals. Sunday’s inspections signal an effort to prevent a repeat during the remaining days of the festival, when visitor numbers typically rise further.