Kolkata pandal stampede: Adhikari orders independent probe, promises compensation for victims’ families

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari interacts at the site of the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal stampede, in Kolkata on October 18, 2026. | Photo Credit: ANI

West Bengal Suvendhu Adhikari, after meeting the victims of the stampede in the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata, said that the Government will take responsibility for the tragedy, and launch an independent probe by a fact-team, headed by a sitting judge.

Nineteen people, most of them women and children, died and 25 others were injured in a stampede at the pandal in north Kolkata on Saturday (October 17, 2026).

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“Top government officials and ministers are taking all necessary steps to hand over the bodies of the deceased to the respective families. The process of handing over the bodies after post mortem has started,” Mr. Adhikari said.

“I have informed officials to ensure the ₹25 lakh compensation cheque is handed over to the families of the victims immediately. I plan to visit the victims’ families in person in their homes in the next two days and hand over the compensation cheques to them,” he said.