Over a week after a tragic stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata claimed 19 lives, the city police have initiated a crucial step in their investigation. Authorities have approached a local court seeking formal permission to collect the voice samples of two individuals arrested in connection with the incident. The development is considered a pivotal move in establishing the chain of events that led to the catastrophe on October 17, 2026, which also left 25 people injured.
The primary focus of the police inquiry is to determine whether the two accused—identified as Sanjib Raha, the treasurer of the puja committee, and Kushal Majumdar—were responsible for the loudspeaker announcements that allegedly incited panic among the crowd. According to investigators, these specific broadcasts claimed that a portion of the pandal was collapsing, which triggered a desperate rush and a subsequent stampede-like situation within the venue.
To build a robust case, investigators have already secured three to four audio and video clips of the announcements made during the time of the stampede. Once the court grants the necessary clearance for the voice samples, these recordings will undergo forensic analysis. A senior police officer noted that comparing the voice samples with the archived footage is essential for reconstructing the sequence of events and verifying the roles played by those in charge of the public address system at the time.
The investigation has been comprehensive, with the police recording statements from approximately 60 individuals. This list includes some of the injured survivors, local residents, private security personnel, civic volunteers, and home guards who were present when the chaos broke out. Additionally, officials responsible for crowd management at the pandal have been subjected to questioning as part of the ongoing probe to understand the nature of the crowd control measures and the impact of the loudspeaker announcements.
So far, nine people have been taken into custody in connection with the tragedy. The legal proceedings are being conducted under the supervision of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which was constituted by the Calcutta High Court. As part of its directive to preserve the integrity of the evidence, the SIT has ordered that the puja pandal remain in its existing condition while the investigation continues.
While the probe moves forward, administrative processes at the site are also being managed under strict supervision. Following the conclusion of necessary documentation and investigative requirements, the idols at the Chorbagan puja pandal were cleared for immersion at Nimtala Ghat. This process was carried out under tight police watch to ensure order. The findings from the upcoming forensic analysis of the voice samples are expected to be a cornerstone of the chargesheet that the police are currently preparing.
The authorities have emphasized that they are meticulously examining every piece of gathered evidence to establish accountability. As the city continues to process the impact of the event, the focus remains on determining exactly how the misinformation spread and why the crowd management protocols failed to prevent the tragedy. The court’s decision regarding the voice sampling request is awaited, which will mark the next significant phase in this legal inquiry.
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