Karnataka Govt Blames RCB for Bengaluru Stampede

BENGALURU: The Karnataka government in its report to High Court of Karnataka blamed Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), a franchise cricket team, for the stampede at the Chinnaswamy stadium on June 4 which left 11 dead and as many as 50 injured and its report stated “the prima facie it appears that the RCB is responsible for the gathering of about three to five lakh people" to take part in the felicitation ceremony of RCB players on the team registering its win Indian Premier League (IPL)-2025 trophy.

The report to the High Court stated RCB did not take the appropriate permission or consent from the police department and suddenly RCB posted on social networking platforms (asking fans to assemble at the Chinnaswamy stadium) and as a result of the posts, the public gathered at the venue of felicitation.

The report stated “RCB created the aforesaid type of nuisance without any permission” and said “To make proper arrangements sufficient time should be given to the Police.” There was a large congregation of people at the Chinnaswamy stadium on June 4 to watch felicitation to RCB players on winning Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy-2025 on June 3. The win for RCB in IPL finals came after 18 years of long wait and it was RCB’s first win in the IPL finals that also made fans throng in huge numbers.

The RCB, the reports accuses, of only informing the police about a possible parade and “It was merely an intimation not a formal request as required under the law.” The reports said RCB made social media posts on June 4 at around 7 am announcing the victory parade from Vidhana Soudha to the Chinnaswamy stadium and an hour later the same message was repeated by RCB on his social media platforms. Besides, a video message by RCB star player Virat Kohli at around 8.55 am stated “The team intended to celebrate this victory with the people of Bengaluru city and RCB fans on June 4 in Bengaluru.”

A series of social media posts by RCB, the report said, went viral and received massive turnout especially around the Chinnaswamy stadium. An estimated 3 lakh people gathered around the stadium while the stadium seating capacity is about 35,000.

The huge crowd gathered at the stadium following a series of posts by RCB/organisers that the entry would be free for all and later RCB at the last minute clarified only limited passes issued to gain entry into the stadium led to chaos. The crowd eager to gain entry into the stadium was restless and several gates at the stadium 2, 2A, 6, 7, 15, 17, 18, 20 and 21 experienced stampedes.

The report stated “Because of shortage of time on June 4, the police were unable to make appropriate arrangements” and said “Adequate time was not given to the police.” Continuing the report stated “It cannot be expected from the police that within a short time of 12 hours the police will make all arrangements required in the Police Act or in the other rules.”