Calcutta High Court orders judicial inquiry into Chorbagan Durgā Pūjā stampede that killed 19
A special Navamī vacation bench headed by Chief Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge directed the West Bengal government to set up an inquiry commission under a retired High Court judge.
- ThePrint
A special Navamī vacation bench headed by Chief Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge directed the West Bengal government to set up an inquiry commission under a retired High Court judge. The commission will examine the 17 October stampede at the Chorbagan pandal and fix responsibility.
The court held that a sitting judge cannot head the probe, contrary to the SIT the Chief Minister had announced earlier.
Key data
19 deaths. The order came on a PIL seeking an independent probe.
Why it matters
The case tests accountability for crowd safety at mass Hindu festivals. Tighter norms for pandals and crowds are likely before Kālī Pūjā and Chhaṭh.
GK: did you know?
Inquiry commissions in India are set up under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952.
