240 CCTV Cameras Disabled Before RCB Match; Two Booked
The cameras going offline resulted in disruption of surveillance at the entry gates, parking area and other locations of the stadium
BENGALURU: As many as 240 CCTV network of cameras installed at M Chinnaswamy Stadium were allegedly disabled on April 24 ahead of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans match at the stadium between 11. 30 am to 12.30 pm by two employees of IVS Digital Solutions, a firm engaged to install CCTV cameras and cabling systems at the stadium. The match was played at the stadium as part of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 tournament.
Police suspect the two persons identified as Manjunath (37) and Abdul Kalam (19) indulged in disabling the network in a grouse against their firm over unpaid salary arrears.
Manjunath (37) a resident of Chitradurga, and Abdul Kalam (19), a native of Uttar Pradesh, are accused of gaining access to the CCTV server room using deactivated access card without proper authorization to disable the cameras to disable the network. The cameras going offline resulted in disruption of surveillance at the entry gates, parking area and other locations of the stadium.
However, the outrage of the network came to the knowledge of Cubbon Park police who also monitor activities at the stadium from the police control room. Swinging into action, police initiated steps to restore the connections in about 30-minutes and the match was scheduled to start at 7. 30 pm.
Once connections were restored at the stadium, police monitored the security at the stadium unhindered then on. Police booked Manjunath and Abdul Kalam while investigations continue in the case. The duo gaining entry to the CCTV server room has been caught on camera.