A judicial probe into the Kolkata Durga Puja stampede has found dangerously narrow entry and exit routes, poor lighting and a reportedly locked emergency exit at the Chorbagan Sarbojonin pandal. The tragedy killed 19 people and injured 25 others.
A judicial inquiry into the deadly stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojonin Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata has raised serious concerns over inadequate entry and exit routes, poor lighting and a reportedly locked emergency exit. Justice Anindita Roy Saraswati (retired), who heads the six-member judicial probe panel constituted by the West Bengal government, inspected the site on Thursday as part of the investigation into the tragedy that claimed 19 lives and left 25 others injured.
Speaking to reporters after the inspection, Justice Saraswati described the entry and exit routes at the pandal as “pathetically narrow”. She also pointed to inadequate lighting arrangements inside the premises, which may have contributed to confusion and panic among visitors during the incident.
According to the retired judge, preliminary observations indicated that the emergency exit was reportedly closed when the chaos began. The panel examined the entire pandal under lighting conditions similar to those prevailing at the time of the incident to assess the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
“The entrance and exit to the pavilion are very narrow,” she said, highlighting the shortcomings observed during the inspection. She added that police had informed the panel that the emergency exit was closed at the time of the accident.
Justice Saraswati said the investigation was still at an early stage and that no final conclusions could be drawn until all relevant facts had been examined. The panel is expected to investigate the sequence of events, the arrangements made by the organisers and the circumstances that led to the fatal rush.
The tragedy occurred on Saturday night amid heavy confusion at the pandal as rain prompted people outside to seek shelter, while visitors already inside were reluctant to leave. The situation reportedly worsened when a misleading announcement was made over a microphone, instructing people to evacuate immediately because of fears that the pandal structure might collapse.
The announcement allegedly triggered widespread panic. Visitors rushed towards the exits, while some attempted to leave through the same gate being used by people trying to enter. The resulting congestion and sudden movement of the crowd led to the deadly stampede.
On Thursday, Kolkata Police detained Sanjib Raha, also known as Sentu, the treasurer of the Chorbagan Sarbojonin organising committee, on suspicion of making the misleading announcement. His alleged role in the incident is under investigation, and the circumstances surrounding the announcement remain subject to further inquiry.
Justice Saraswati confirmed that the person suspected of making the announcement was being investigated. The probe will seek to establish how the announcement was made, why it was issued and whether it contributed directly to the panic that resulted in the loss of lives.
The panel is also examining the condition of the pandal and the arrangements in place for crowd movement and emergency evacuation. Questions surrounding the narrow passageways, lighting conditions and availability of an accessible emergency exit are likely to be important aspects of the investigation.
Meanwhile, the issue of idol immersion has also come under consideration. Justice Saraswati said that even if permission for immersion were granted, the pandal structure would have to remain intact for the time being to allow investigators to conduct further examinations.
The decision to preserve the structure is intended to help the panel inspect the site and gather evidence before reaching conclusions about the causes of the stampede.
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The incident has raised serious concerns about crowd management, emergency preparedness and public safety at major religious festivals. The judicial inquiry is expected to examine the available evidence before determining the circumstances that contributed to the tragedy and whether any lapses occurred.
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With 19 people dead and 25 injured, the investigation is focused on establishing accountability and understanding how the crowd panic developed. The panel has cautioned that its observations remain preliminary, with further investigation required before any final findings can be made.
