A team of forensic experts from Kolkata Police on Thursday, 22 October conducted a detailed 3D scan of the Chorbagan Sarbojanin community Durga Puja pandal in North Kolkata, where a stampede on the night of 17 October claimed 19 lives. The scanning exercise was carried out alongside members of the special investigation team (SIT) to preserve forensic evidence before the pandal is demolished.

Why the 3D Scan Was Necessary

According to a city police insider, the scan was conducted to capture a precise record of the pandal's layout — including the width of entry and exit gates, the arrangement of structures, and crowd-flow pathways — before the temporary structure is taken down. 'Before demolishing the pandal, it is necessary to collect all the necessary samples, which will help in the investigation at a later stage. That is exactly why forensic experts have scanned the entire pavilion through 3D scanning. In the future, the footage of the 3D scan will give an idea about the scene,' the official said.

The SIT, headed by an assistant commissioner-ranking official from the detective department of the city police, also reviewed CCTV footage and reconstructed the sequence of events by questioning civic volunteers and club members who were present during the tragedy.

Key Suspect Detained Over Microphone Announcement

In a significant development, police have detained a person from Nadia district of West Bengal, suspected of making a misleading announcement over the pandal's public address system moments before the stampede. According to investigators, chaos had already begun inside the pandal as heavy rains drove devotees outside to seek shelter, while those inside refused to leave — creating a dangerous crush at the entry points.

The suspect allegedly announced over the microphone that the pandal structure was on the verge of collapsing, triggering extreme panic. Devotees rushed toward the exit gates en masse, with some pressing against the entry gate in the opposite direction, ultimately causing the fatal stampede. The detained individual is currently being interrogated at Lalbazar police headquarters in South Kolkata. Police have not yet disclosed the suspect's name.

Judicial Probe Panel Begins Preliminary Inquiry

A six-member judicial probe panel constituted by the West Bengal state government also visited the Chorbagan Sarbojanin pandal on Thursday to commence its preliminary investigation. The panel is headed by Justice Anindita Roy Saraswati (retired) and has been given a three-month deadline to submit its findings to the state government.

The chairperson of the panel has reportedly described meeting that timeline as a challenging task, given the scale and complexity of the inquiry.

What the Investigation Has Established So Far

Investigators believe the stampede was triggered by a confluence of factors: rainfall that concentrated crowds at the pandal entrance, an existing crush between those trying to enter and those reluctant to leave, and a false evacuation announcement that turned a dangerous situation fatal. This is the deadliest crowd-crush incident at a Durga Puja celebration in recent memory.

The dual-track investigation — SIT forensic work alongside the judicial panel — signals the gravity with which both the police and the state government are treating the case. With the suspect in custody and 3D evidence secured, the probe is expected to move toward identifying further accountability in the weeks ahead.