Kolkata pandal stampede: Adhikari orders independent probe, promises compensation for victims’ families
The Chief Minister announced that new crowd management guidelines will be drawn after the stampede’s “lesson”.
Kolkata Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has ordered an independent probe into the tragic stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in Chorbagan, Kolkata. The incident, which occurred on October 17, 2026, left at least 15 people dead and 25 injured. Adhikari, after visiting the scene, assured that the government would bear responsibility for the tragedy and would provide immediate compensation of ₹25 lakh to the families of the victims.
He also announced the creation of a special fact-finding team led by a sitting judge to conduct a thorough investigation. The chief minister emphasized that new crowd management guidelines would be drafted following the "lesson" from this incident, which could include restrictions on access to pandals and removal of VIP lines. Seven individuals, including officials from the Chorbagan Sarbajanin Durga Puja committee, have already been arrested in connection with the stampede.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
