Siddaramaiah To Meet Cong High Command In Delhi, Likely To Discuss Stampede Incident

BENGALURU: Speculations are rife over Chief Minister Siddaramaiah rushing to New Delhi on Tuesday to submit a report to the Congress high command over the stampede at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on June 4 which left 11 dead.

However, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah dismissed high command asking him for a report over the stampede. The Chief Minister said "It is far from the truth".

According to sources, Siddaramaiah was to leave for New Delhi on Thursday but had to reschedule his visit on being asked to rush to New Delhi by the high command. The Chief Minister will leave Bengaluru on Tuesday morning.

On June 4, an estimated 2.5 lakh fans/supporters of Royal Challenge Bengaluru gathered around the Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4 to enter the Stadium where a felicitation programme was organized for RCB players over the team’s victory in Indian Premier League (IPL)-2025, resulting in the stampede which left 11 dead and about 50 injured.

Meanwhile, responding to queries from reporters in Bengaluru, Minister of Law and Parliamentary Affairs H.K. Patil said a report will be submitted to the party high command over the Bengaluru stampede and said “Even the State Government is serious over the stampede incident.”

Sources said Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, incharge of Bengaluru city, currently in New Delhi would also submit his report to the high command on stampede.

Under fire from opposition parties, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told reporters in Mysuru the stampede incident at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, “What wrong has the State Government done?” and questioned “Did Prime Minister Narendra Modi resign when a newly inaugurated bridge collapsed resulting in deaths of several people or when about 60 persons died during Kumbh Mela?”

He termed the charges levelled by opposition parties-Bharatiya Janata Party and Janata Dal Secular leaders as politically motivated.

He stated the stampede incident took place at the Chinnaswamy Stadium where a felicitation programme was organized by Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and clarified "The State Government had nothing to do with KSCA organised felicitation at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

As per preliminary investigation, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said after finding police lapses in making security arrangements, erring police officers have been placed under suspension and the State Government initiated a series of action against erring officers.

"The State Intelligence wing had overhauled," said the Chief Minister.