Kolkata, October 23: The wife of a man arrested for allegedly making a false announcement that triggered a deadly stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in North Kolkata has accused senior members of the organising committee of directing him to issue the warning and subsequently advising him to evade police until October 27. The October 17 tragedy killed 19 devotees and injured several others.
Kolkata Police arrested Babu Majumdar, also known as Kushal and Kalia, on Friday morning in connection with the announcement at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal.
Speaking to reporters following his arrest, his wife, Koel Majumdar, alleged that senior committee officials instructed her husband to announce that the pandal had collapsed, prompting devotees to rush towards the exits.
She claimed that Majumdar, an app-based cab driver who had maintained an association with the Puja committee for nearly 18 years, had never previously handled public announcements because he lacked strong communication skills.
According to Koel, her husband followed the instructions believing that the situation could become more dangerous.
She further alleged that committee members advised him to remain underground until October 27, although he had initially wanted to surrender to police on the night of the incident.
Koel said her husband contacted her the following morning and informed her about the instructions. She claimed he had been experiencing remorse over the incident.
Police sources said Majumdar briefly returned to his residence on Amar Bose Lane, near the pandal, before leaving again without his mobile phone.
The stampede occurred amid confusion caused by rainfall, as devotees waiting outside attempted to enter the pandal while those already inside hesitated to leave.
An announcement warning that the structure had collapsed and directing people to evacuate intensified the panic. The resulting rush towards the exits led to the fatal crowd surge.
Police had earlier arrested Sanjib Raha, also known as Sentu, the treasurer of the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja organising committee, on Thursday. Investigators have identified him as the prime accused in the case.
Majumdar is the second person arrested specifically in connection with the disputed announcement, while the total number of arrests linked to the stampede has reached nine.
Investigators continue to examine the sequence of events, including the circumstances surrounding the evacuation warning and the alleged involvement of committee officials.
Koel’s allegations have raised questions about who authorised the announcement and whether those responsible subsequently attempted to prevent Majumdar from approaching police.
