Calcutta HC orders retired judge to lead probe into Chorbagan stampede

The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday ordered the West Bengal government to form a commission of inquiry headed by a retired judge to investigate the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal stampede that killed 19 people on October 17, 2026.

What Happened

A Division Bench led by Chief Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge ruled that a sitting High Court judge cannot head the probe, citing a Supreme Court directive that bars active judges from such appointments. The bench heard a public‑interest litigation filed by a lawyer seeking an independent and speedy investigation; the hearing took place on Navami, the ninth day of the Durga Puja festival.

Reaction

State Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had earlier said a sitting judge would lead a Special Investigation Team, but the court rejected that plan and instructed the government to choose a retired judge instead. The court’s vacation bench emphasized the need for an impartial inquiry into the cause of the stampede and the accountability of those responsible.

Context

Retired judges are often appointed to inquiry commissions to avoid conflicts of interest that can arise when serving judges lead investigations into government actions. The stampede occurred during the popular Durga Puja celebrations, a time when large crowds gather at temporary pandals across West Bengal.