Story perspectives

Police seek treasurer’s voice match in Chorbagan case

By Drooid · Oct 25, 2026, 4:03 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Police Seek Samples

Police asked a court to record voice samples of treasurer Sanjib Raha and Kushal Majumdar.
Investigators will match those samples with three audio clips from the October 17 announcement.
Forensic teams built a 3D map and filmed the exit with a drone.
Inspectors found the gate locked and the exit seven feet wide, blocked by air-conditioners.
Police recorded statements from 60 witnesses, including injured victims and security staff.

Summary

Police Immerses Idol

Police immersed the Chorbagan Durga idol at Kolkata’s Nimtala Ghat on October 24, 2026.
Calcutta High Court judge Anindita Roy Saraswati cleared the immersion and sealed the pandal.
The October 17, 2026 stampede at the Chorbagan pandal killed 19 people during Mahasaptami.
Nine people, including two announcers and three puja committee members, were arrested.
Women and residents attended with candles and armbands, while Sindur Khela and Debi Boron were omitted.

History

Historical Context

After a 2010 stampede at Kolkata’s Bhowanipore Durga Puja killed ten and prompted the Calcutta High Court to order 2 crore for wider exits and a 10-foot minimum width, the state allocated funds for safety upgrades. The October 17, 2026 Chorbagan disaster—investigated by Judge Anindita Roy Saraswati—again revealed locked gates and a blocked seven-foot exit, highlighting persistent enforcement gaps despite longstanding reforms.

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Police Seek Samples

Police asked a court to record voice samples of treasurer Sanjib Raha and Kushal Majumdar.
Investigators will match those samples with three audio clips from the October 17 announcement.
Forensic teams built a 3D map and filmed the exit with a drone.
Inspectors found the gate locked and the exit seven feet wide, blocked by air-conditioners.
Police recorded statements from 60 witnesses, including injured victims and security staff.

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