West Bengal government sets up SIT headed by retired justice to probe Durga Puja pandal stampede
The West Bengal government has established a six-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by a retired judge to probe a deadly stampede at a Durga Puja pandal. The incident, which occurred on October 17, resulted in 19 fatalities and prompted the Chief Minister to defend the decision to treat the injured at private hospitals.
Why it matters
The formation of an SIT highlights the government's response to public safety failures and the political scrutiny surrounding disaster management in West Bengal.
West Bengal government sets up SIT headed by retired justice to probe Durga Puja pandal stampede left West Bengal Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari. File The Hindu The Hindu https://th-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/6kckw6/article71608989.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/80717_26_8_2025_19_2_44_5_260825LOPSUVENDUADHIKARI1.JPG DEBASISH BHADURI Kolkata, West Bengal, Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday accused that arrest of Trinamool Congress MLA Jiban Krishna Saha is only the tip of an iceberg. Photo DEBASISH BHADURI After the incident, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said that the SIT will be headed by a sitting judge of Calcutta High Court Kolkata The West Bengal government on Wednesday (October 21, 2026) issued an order setting up a special Investigation Team (SIT) to undertake a comprehensive, impartial and thorough inquiry into the stampede at Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja Pandal which claimed 19 lives on October 17.
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