Kolkatas Durga Puja Tragedy: Judicial Committee to Identify Shortcomings and Establish Safety Regulations by 2027
A judicial committee in Kolkata will investigate the recent Durga Puja stampede that claimed 19 lives, aiming to enhance safety regulations for future events.
Kolkata, October 22 (Daily Kiran) : In Kolkata, a tragic stampede during the Durga Puja celebrations on October 17 resulted in the loss of 19 lives. In response, the West Bengal government has formed a six-member judicial inquiry committee to investigate the incident. The findings of this committee are expected to play a crucial role in establishing safety measures for large community puja pandals starting next year.
A state government source indicated that the committee will examine various aspects of crowd management and safety arrangements at the pandal. Key points of focus will include the maximum number of attendees, entry and exit routes, the installation of CCTV cameras, and emergency evacuation procedures.
An official from the state government mentioned that the inquiry committee will thoroughly analyze any negligence related to the Chorabagan public pandal. The outcomes of this investigation will guide precautionary measures for large puja pandals in the upcoming year.
The committee plans to review CCTV footage, mobile phone video clips, and medical reports of those injured or killed in the stampede. This analysis aims to clarify the sequence of events and identify potential shortcomings.
As part of the investigation, committee members may also record statements from eyewitnesses who witnessed the incident.
Meanwhile, retired Justice Anindita Roy Saraswati, who heads the committee, informed the media that they have been tasked with submitting their report to the state government within three months. She acknowledged the challenge of completing the investigation within the set timeframe but expressed determination to meet the deadline.
Justice Roy Saraswati emphasized that the investigation aims to identify those responsible for the tragedy and understand the causes behind the significant loss of life. Based on the findings, guidelines will be issued to Durga Puja committees to prevent similar incidents in the future.
She noted the importance of uncovering why such a high number of fatalities occurred and insisted that those at fault must be held accountable. The committee’s recommendations will be crucial in ensuring the safety of future celebrations.
This panel was established after the state government sought to appoint a sitting judge from the Calcutta High Court to lead the inquiry. However, Chief Justice Ravindra Vitthalrao Ghughe informed the state government that due to a prior Supreme Court order, a sitting judge cannot be appointed to such a commission.
