Kolkata, October 24 — The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Kolkata Police is preparing to conduct voice sample tests of two accused arrested for allegedly making a misleading announcement that triggered panic at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata on October 17, leading to a stampede that claimed 19 lives, IANS reported. Police have also approached a local court seeking permission to collect the samples.
Source: IANS via Hi India
The two accused are puja committee treasurer Sanjib Raha, alias Sentu, and puja committee member Babu Majumdar, alias Kushal alias Kalia. Investigators want to compare their voice samples with audio recordings of announcements made on October 17, a senior officer said, adding that three to four audio and video clips have been collected and a clip in which the announcement can be heard has been identified.
Source: The Hindu via TechWordNews
According to police, before a charge sheet is filed against the two, it is necessary to substantiate the charges, and the voice tests — expected to be conducted in a day or two — will be compared with the recordings after the court grants permission. Police said statements of about 60 people, including several of the injured, home guards, civic volunteers, private security personnel and local residents, have been recorded so far, and nine people have been arrested in connection with the incident in total.
Source: The Hindu via TechWordNews
The stampede occurred amid heavy rain on October 17, when an announcement warning that the pandal had collapsed and urging people to evacuate allegedly sparked panic and a rush towards the exits. A judicial inquiry headed by retired Justice Anindita Roy Sarswati is conducting a parallel investigation and is to report to the West Bengal government within three months. The immersion of idols from the Chorbagan puja was scheduled for later on Saturday at Nimtala Ghat under police supervision, following permission from the judicial panel, IANS and The Hindu reported.
Source: Nation Press