Calcutta High Court says a retired judge may head the inquiry into the Chorbagan Durga Puja stampede

21 October 2026

A vacation bench of Chief Justice Ravindra Vithalrao Ghuge and Justice Md. Shabbar Rashidi heard the public interest petition.
Nineteen people died and about 25 were injured in the crush at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja in Kolkata on October 17, 2026.
The State had written to the Chief Justice on October 18 asking for a sitting judge to head an inquiry commission.
The Bench said it is for the Chief Justice to decide administratively whether a serving judge can be spared.
If no sitting judge is available, the State may appoint a retired Calcutta High Court judge under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952.
The petition was kept pending.