Two Durga Puja committees in Guwahati have accused Kolkata-based pandal artist Sudipta Pal of collecting more than Rs 10 lakh for theme and structural design work before allegedly leaving the city without completing the projects.
The Chatribari Durga Puja Committee has lodged a complaint against Pal, while the Nayan Tara Durga Puja Committee in Kumarpara is also considering legal action.
Kamaljit, a member of the Chatribari committee, said Pal had been contracted for Rs 8 lakh to design its pandal. The committee paid him around Rs 5.35 lakh, but only about half of the work was completed before he allegedly left the site.
Pal reportedly demanded another Rs 1 lakh, promising to finish the remaining work. Although his workers remained at the site until Monday, the artist could not be traced, prompting the committee to approach the police.
The Nayan Tara committee had separately engaged Pal for its pandal design and allegedly paid him more than Rs 5.50 lakh. Kamaljit said the committee was also likely to lodge a complaint.
The allegations have left both committees facing uncertainty over the completion of their pandals as Durga Puja approaches. The claims against Pal have not been independently established.
