Kolkata stampede: Second accused in misleading announcement arrested
Synopsis
Two men are now in custody for allegedly broadcasting a false 'structural collapse' warning at a Kolkata Durga Puja pandal on 17 October, triggering a fatal stampede. Police suspect the announcement may have been made on someone else's orders — raising the possibility of a wider conspiracy behind one of the deadliest Durga Puja tragedies in recent memory.
Key Takeaways
Babu Majumdar , alias Kalia, was arrested by Kolkata Police on 23 October 2026 as the second accused in the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja stampede .
The prime accused, Sanjib Raha (alias Sentu), treasurer of the organising committee, was arrested on 22 October and confessed Majumdar was present when the announcement was made.
The misleading announcement falsely warned of an imminent structural collapse , triggering mass panic and a rush toward the exits on the night of 17 October .
Police assess the false announcement was the crucial trigger of the stampede, though rain-induced crowding had already created a volatile situation.
Investigators suspect the announcement may have been made on instructions from a third party , potentially widening the scope of the case.
Kolkata Police on Friday, 23 October 2026 arrested Babu Majumdar, alias Kalia, the second person accused of making a misleading announcement that triggered a fatal stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in North Kolkata on the night of 17 October. Majumdar's arrest follows that of the prime accused, Sanjib Raha, alias Sentu, who was detained and formally arrested a day earlier on Thursday.
How the Arrests Unfolded
Raha, who served as the treasurer of the organising committee for the Chorbagan Sarbojanin pandal, confessed during interrogation that Majumdar was present alongside him when the fatal announcement was broadcast. According to investigators, the announcement was made from a room outside the main pandal area — a space reserved exclusively for organising committee members and special guests.
Both men reportedly went into hiding immediately after the tragedy on the night of 17 October. Majumdar is a neighbour of Raha in North Kolkata. Interrogation of Raha has been ongoing since Thursday afternoon, and investigators will now question Majumdar separately. If required, both accused will be interrogated simultaneously to prevent contradictory statements, according to a city police officer.
What the Misleading Announcement Said
The announcement came at a particularly volatile moment: rain had already caused chaos at the pandal, with crowds outside pressing to enter while those inside refused to step out into the downpour. At that juncture, an announcement was made urging all devotees to evacuate the pandal immediately, citing fears that the structure was on the verge of collapsing.
The warning — which investigators say was false — triggered extreme panic. Pilgrims rushed toward the exits, with some moving against the flow of incoming crowds toward the entry gate, ultimately causing the stampede that claimed multiple lives.
Police Assessment: Announcement Was the Tipping Point
'There were a number of factors that triggered panic and prompted the devotees within the pandal premises to rush. However, as we feel, the misleading announcement was the crucial factor in triggering panic among the devotees, leading to the stampede. Otherwise, the situation could have been manageable, and probably the loss of so many lives could have been avoided,' a city police officer said.
Notably, investigating officials reportedly suspect the misleading announcement may have been made on the instructions of a third party — a line of inquiry that could widen the scope of the case significantly. No further details on the suspected mastermind have been disclosed.
What Happens Next
Investigators are expected to conduct simultaneous interrogations of both Raha and Majumdar to establish a consistent account of events and determine whether anyone else directed them to make the announcement. The probe into possible third-party involvement remains a key open thread in the investigation.
Point of View
But the more consequential detail is buried in the police statement: investigators believe the misleading announcement may have been made on someone else's orders. If that suspicion holds, this ceases to be a story about two panicked individuals and becomes a case of deliberate instigation of a crowd crush. Kolkata has seen deadly Puja stampedes before, and the recurring pattern points to a systemic failure in crowd management protocols at large pandals — a structural issue that arrests alone will not resolve. The 'third party' angle must be pursued rigorously and transparently, or it risks becoming another loose thread in an investigation that quietly closes.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has been arrested in connection with the Kolkata Durga Puja stampede?
Two people have been arrested so far: Sanjib Raha, alias Sentu, the treasurer of the Chorbagan Sarbojanin organising committee, was arrested on 22 October, and Babu Majumdar, alias Kalia, was arrested on 23 October. Both are accused of making the misleading announcement that triggered the stampede.
What announcement caused the Kolkata Durga Puja stampede?
A false announcement was made urging all devotees to immediately evacuate the pandal, citing fears of an imminent structural collapse. The warning was untrue; it caused extreme panic during an already chaotic situation worsened by rain, leading to a fatal rush toward the exits.
When did the Chorbagan Sarbojanin stampede take place?
The stampede occurred on the night of 17 October at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in North Kolkata. Both accused had been absconding since that night before being tracked down by police.
Do police suspect anyone else was behind the announcement?
Yes. Investigating officials reportedly believe the misleading announcement may have been made on instructions from a third party, which could expand the scope of the case. No further details about a suspected mastermind have been officially disclosed.
What is the next step in the investigation?
Kolkata Police plan to interrogate both Raha and Majumdar, simultaneously if necessary, to establish a consistent account and prevent contradictory statements. The key focus is determining whether a third party directed the pair to make the announcement.
