CHOREBAGAN STAMPEDE INQUIRY FACES A RACE AGAINST TIME AS SIT CHIEF QUESTIONS THREE-MONTH DEADLINE
October 22, 2026
KOLKATA, OCTOBER 22: The head of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Chorebagan stampede, which claimed 19 lives during Durga Puja festivities, has acknowledged that the three-month deadline for submitting the inquiry report is extremely tight, but said the team would make every effort to complete its work within the stipulated period.
Retired judge Anindita Roy Saraswati, who is heading the investigation, indicated that the time available might be insufficient for a comprehensive examination of all aspects of the tragedy. Nevertheless, she said the SIT would do its best to meet the deadline set by the state government.
The inquiry was constituted following the deadly stampede at Chorebagan in Kolkata on October 17. The incident raised serious questions about crowd management, safety arrangements and the coordination between organisers and authorities at crowded religious gatherings.
The SIT has been tasked with reconstructing the sequence of events that led to the deaths, examining possible lapses and recommending measures to prevent similar tragedies. Its work is expected to involve scrutiny of available evidence and an assessment of the arrangements made before and during the incident.
INVESTIGATION MUST EXAMINE MULTIPLE ASPECTS OF THE TRAGEDY
The probe will need to establish how the crowd surge developed, whether the venue’s capacity and access arrangements were adequate, and whether the necessary precautions were taken to manage the gathering safely. The inquiry is also expected to examine the responsibilities of the organisers and relevant authorities.
The three-month period places considerable pressure on the team to gather and evaluate evidence, identify possible failures and prepare recommendations. The SIT chief’s remarks underline the complexity of an investigation involving multiple agencies, safety procedures and the circumstances surrounding a major public tragedy.
The findings are expected to play an important role in determining whether shortcomings in crowd management or emergency preparedness contributed to the loss of life.
QUESTIONS OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND PUBLIC SAFETY
The Chorebagan stampede has intensified public concern over the safety of large Durga Puja gatherings, particularly in densely populated areas where narrow approaches and heavy crowds can complicate movement and emergency response.
The SIT’s task extends beyond establishing what happened on the day of the incident. Its recommendations could also inform future safety arrangements at major religious events, including crowd-control measures, emergency access and coordination among public authorities.
While the inquiry chief has acknowledged the limitations imposed by the deadline, the team has undertaken to make its best effort to submit the report within three months. The eventual findings will be closely watched by the victims’ families and the wider public seeking answers about the circumstances that led to the tragedy.
