Kolkata, Oct 18, 2026 16:36 IST — West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday ordered a thorough scrutiny of temporary home guards deployed at a Durga Puja pandal after a devastating stampede resulted in 19 deaths and left 25 others injured, according to reports from the Press Trust of India.
Adhikari stated that the inquiry will also examine the conduct of the puja organisers and the various authorities responsible for granting permissions. A Special Investigation Team, which is proposed to be led by a sitting judge of the Calcutta High Court, will oversee the probe pending approval from the Chief Justice.
The tragic crowd crush unfolded on Saturday evening at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata following a sudden surge of visitors amid heavy rainfall. Adhikari noted that he personally requested the roster of temporary home guards who were stationed at the location to evaluate their specific actions during the emergency.
The chief minister pointed out that these home guards had served in previous years following appointments in 2024 and 2025. Commenting on the situation, Adhikari remarked that the administration was dealing with legacy challenges from the past, adding that a complete administrative clean-up would take time.
He recounted that during a visit to the site early Sunday morning, he encountered a home guard on duty who could neither comprehend nor speak Bengali. Adhikari observed that the reality of the disaster appeared much worse than his initial briefings, noting that the crush happened at a shared entry and exit gate rather than within the dimly lit interior of the marquee.
According to the chief minister, the pandal featured only a single opening designated for both entering and exiting visitors, which security personnel managed by stretching a handheld rope down the middle. He alleged that when the rain began, the guards dropped the ropes to seek shelter themselves, causing the crowd management situation to deteriorate rapidly.
Adhikari emphasized that the event organisers must also bear responsibility for the tragedy, highlighting flaws related to the festival theme. Furthermore, he stated that the role of the Kolkata Police and the fire services department, both of which issued necessary clearances and should have identified these safety hazards beforehand, remains under active review.
Personnel representing the Kolkata Police, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, and the fire services department will be kept out of the proposed SIT to ensure an impartial probe, Adhikari confirmed. Meanwhile, local law enforcement authorities have already arrested seven individuals in connection with the incident, including the puja committee secretary, the vice-president, and two representatives from a private security firm.