Retired Calcutta HC judge Anindita Roy Saraswati to oversee probe into Chor Bagan stampede deaths

The West Bengal government on Wednesday appointed retired Calcutta High Court judge Anindita Roy Saraswati to oversee the investigation into the stampede at Kolkata’s Chor Bagan Durga Puja pandal on October 17, which claimed 19 lives.

The appointment follows a directive issued by the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday to constitute a special investigation team (SIT) headed by a retired judge to investigate the tragedy. The court said a sitting judge could not preside over such an inquiry.

A senior state government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the SIT would submit its report and recommendations to the government within three months.

High court directs formation of SIT

Following the stampede, the chief minister had announced that his government would approach the Calcutta High Court for permission to establish a probe committee headed by a sitting high court judge. He had also said that no officers from the Kolkata Police, the city fire brigade or the municipal corporation would be included in the investigation team.

However, the high court directed the government to constitute an SIT headed by a retired judge instead.

Roy Saraswati is also hearing petitions filed by voters whose names were deleted from the electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal.