West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited the families of those who lost their lives in a tragic stampede at a Kolkata Durga Puja pandal, which occurred on the evening of October 17, 2026. The Chief Minister travelled to several districts, including Purba Bardhaman, Howrah, Nadia, and Hooghly, to express his condolences and meet with the grieving relatives in person. The incident, which took place at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja, resulted in 19 deaths, prompting the state administration to initiate immediate support measures for the affected households.
During his visit on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the Chief Minister handed over cheques of ₹25 lakh to the families of the deceased. In addition to the financial assistance, Mr. Adhikari assured the families that one member from each affected household would be provided with a government job. At the residence of the victims Togor Bej and Sandip Bej in the Madhavdighi area of Purba Bardhaman district, the Chief Minister personally offered his sympathies. Addressing the family members, he expressed his inability to reverse the tragedy but pledged the government's commitment to providing all possible support during this period of grief.
The Chief Minister continued his tour in Arambagh, Hooghly, where he met the family of Piyali Pramanik. He also distributed financial aid to the families of Aarti Sarkar, a resident of Chakdah in Nadia, and Akriti Raut, a resident of Liluah in Howrah. This direct outreach followed an earlier commitment made by Mr. Adhikari to visit the families affected by the disaster immediately after the event took place.
In light of the catastrophe, the state government has suspended all festive celebrations, choosing to limit its involvement in the current season to essential Durga Puja rituals only. During his visit, the Chief Minister also took the opportunity to critique the governance of previous administrations, comparing the current situation to past incidents such as flash floods in north Bengal and an electrocution event in 2025 that claimed 13 lives.
The legal process regarding the October 17 tragedy is currently underway. Authorities have confirmed that seven individuals have been arrested in connection with the stampede. Those taken into custody have been booked under several sections of the law, including charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. This event marks a significant point of scrutiny as it occurred during the first Durga Puja organized under the current BJP government.
To ensure a thorough examination of the events that led to the stampede, the state government has mandated an inquiry to be conducted by a sitting judge of the Calcutta High Court. This comes alongside an earlier directive from the High Court, which had requested the appointment of an inquiry commission headed by a retired judge to investigate the circumstances of the Chorbagan pandal disaster. As the investigation proceeds, the government remains focused on providing relief to the families impacted by the loss of their loved ones during the festivities.
Comments