Kolkata Puja Stampede
Chorbagan Durga Puja stampede in Kolkata: 7 accused sent to 10-day police custody
All seven people arrested in connection with the stampede at a Kolkata puja pandal have been sent to 10-day police custody, media reports said.
They were earlier in the day produced before a local court.
The stampede incident at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja, a popular pandal located in north Kolkata, left at least 19 people dead.
Police have registered a suo motu case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder in connection with the tragedy, which unfolded around 7.40 pm amid heavy rain and a large gathering of visitors on Saptami.
Twelve people, including organisers, were initially detained for questioning, according to reports. The pandal has since been closed to visitors as authorities investigate the circumstances that led to the disaster.
.jpeg)
The arrests mark a significant step in the investigation into one of the most devastating incidents of this year's Durga Puja celebrations in Kolkata. Police are examining whether inadequate crowd-control measures and difficulties in regulating the movement of visitors contributed to the loss of lives.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited the hospital with senior officials to take stock of the situation. The state government has announced compensation of Rs 25 lakh and government jobs for the families of those who died. It has also said that an investigation under a sitting judge of the Calcutta High Court would be pursued, with the involvement of investigative agencies.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased person and Rs 50,000 for those injured.
The state government has also activated a toll-free helpline, 1800 345 5678, for people seeking assistance following the tragedy.
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
