Kolkata Chor Bagan Stampede Case Sees Second Arrest After 19 Deaths, Police Probe Pandal Collapse Announcements

Kolkata's Kolkata police announced the arrest of Kushal Majumdar, Friday marking the second detainee in the Chor Bagan stampede incident. The tragedy claimed 19 lives during Durga Puja celebrations. According to police, CCTV footage showed both Majumdar and Sentu making announcements warning visitors about a collapsing section of the structure, urging them to evacuate immediately.

The stampede occurred amidst heavy rainfall. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had previously claimed he visited the Chor Bagan puja pandal around 2 am and observed no structural collapse. Majumdar, the accused announcer, stated in a tweet that a police officer ordered him to make the announcement about the alleged pandal collapse.

Majumdar's wife accused him of being framed, alleging her husband was told to make false collapse announcements. She mentioned her husband never returned home that day, but called her from someone else's number, claiming to be safe and stating that someone had instructed him to flee until October 29. A special investigation team was formed on Thursday to probe the stampede, with organizers instructed to keep the pandal intact.