Stampede timeline
Around 150 people, including police personnel, home guards and volunteers, were present, along with private security staff. “Of them, about 50 were temporary home guards, and an inspector was also in charge. Cops have recorded statements of around 60 to 70 people, including those injured in the stampede. Sentu, the puja committee’s treasurer, has been remanded in police custody till Oct 28. Kushal Majumdar, the other alleged announcer, was remanded to police custody till Nov 6.
Investigators have identified several videos in which instructions announced over a microphone can be heard.
After obtaining court nod, we plan to collect voice samples of Sanjib Raha, alias Sentu, and Kushal Majumdar, alias Kalia, and compare them with the recordings of announcements through forensic analysis,” said a senior officer of Kolkata Police. As the crowd grew, two deputy commissioners were brought in,” he said. CM Suvendu Adhikari had said some home guards were using a rope to create a barricade, which gave way under pressure from the crowd. Police said CCTV footage reviewed so far showed officers inside the pandal directing visitors towards the exit for safety.
Police are examining CCTV footage and videos carrying announcements that may have triggered panic, and unauthorised stalls along an exit route. “The audio clips will be sent for laboratory examination. Nine persons have been arrested so far. Police have also rejected claims that there were too few personnel at the site when the incident occurred. Their role is being examined. Special Investigation Team is also checking whether the arrangements made by the organisers matched those declared in their application for police permission.
Kolkata: Investigators probing the Chorbagan stampede have approached Calcutta High Court for permission to collect voice samples of two arrested men — both of whom were in charge of the announcement — to establish if they made announcements shortly before the tragedy on Saptami evening.