GUWAHATI: A Kolkata-based pandal artist has allegedly left Guwahati after collecting over ₹10 lakh from two Durga Puja committees for theme and structural design work, leaving organisers struggling to complete their pandal ahead of the festival.
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According to media reports, the artist, identified as Sudipta Pal from Jadavpur in Kolkata, was engaged by the Chatribari Durga Puja Committee and the Nayan Tara Durga Puja Committee in Kumarpara for their respective pandal designs.
The Chatribari Durga Puja Committee has filed a complaint against Pal, while the Nayan Tara Puja Committee is reportedly considering legal action over the alleged incident.
According to media reports, Chatribari committee member Kamaljit said the committee had hired Pal for ₹8 lakh to design a tribal-themed pandal. Of the total amount, around ₹5.35 lakh had allegedly been paid to the artist, but only about 50 per cent of the work was completed before he reportedly left the city.
He further alleged that Pal had repeatedly demanded money and later sought an additional ₹1 lakh, assuring the committee that he would complete the remaining work.
Although the artist's workers were reportedly present at the site until Monday, Pal himself could not be traced, following which the committee lodged a complaint.
The Nayan Tara Durga Puja Committee in Kumarpara has also allegedly paid Pal more than ₹5.50 lakh for its pandal's theme and structural design. According to media reports, Kamaljit said the committee was likely to file a complaint against the artist as well.
The alleged incident has left both committees facing uncertainty over their pandal preparations, with limited time remaining to complete the structures before Durga Puja.
