The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday ordered the West Bengal government to constitute a commission of inquiry led by a retired high court judge to investigate the October 17 stampede at the Chorbagan Durga puja pandal, which resulted in 19 deaths.
While issuing the order, a division bench headed by Chief Justice Ravindra V Ghuge rejected the state government’s request to assign a serving judge to the probe. The court noted that existing Supreme Court directives bar sitting high court judges from presiding over inquiry commissions.
Court Mandates Scope Of Inquiry
Under the high court’s directions, the state administration may select a former judge of the Calcutta High Court to chair the panel. The commission has been tasked with determining what triggered the crowd surge and identifying individuals or authorities responsible for the disaster.
The ruling comes after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari previously announced that a sitting judge of the high court would lead a special investigation team formed to examine the fatal incident.
Special Vacation Hearing
A vacation bench convened for a special hearing on Navami, during the Durga puja festival, to address a public interest litigation filed by an advocate. The petition called for an expedited, independent investigation into the tragedy, which took place on Saptami, marking the opening day of the festival celebrations.
