Retired judge Anindita Roy Saraswati to lead SIT probing Kolkata Durga Puja stampede

Following the fatal stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata that killed 19 people, the West Bengal government appointed retired High Court judge Anindita Roy Saraswati to lead a six-member special investigation team. The panel, comprising the principal secretary of disaster management, senior police officials, a joint-secretary-level home department representative and a National Disaster Response Force delegate, is tasked with delivering a report and recommendations within three months.

Saraswati is also presiding over petitions from voters removed during the Special Intensive Revision of the electoral roll. The tragedy, which injured 25 others, has drawn sharp criticism of the BJP-led state administration, with opposition parties blaming chief minister Suvendu Adhikari and his relatives for the incident. In response, the government announced monetary compensation, a job for one family member per household, and a promise of an impartial inquiry. The High Court had earlier directed that a retired judge, not a sitting one, should head the probe in line with Supreme Court guidelines.