A jubilant celebration turned tragic on June 4 when a stampede outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium claimed 11 lives and injured over 50 individuals. The incident occurred during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) victory parade following their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title win.
Incident Overview
The stampede unfolded between 5 PM and 7 PM IST as an overwhelming crowd, estimated at over 150,000, gathered to celebrate RCB's triumph. The stadium, with a seating capacity of approximately 35,000, was ill-equipped to handle such a massive influx. Chaos ensued when fans, many without passes, attempted to force entry, leading to a deadly crush.
Victims Identified
Among the 11 deceased were a Chartered Accountant and a young girl studying in Class 9. Their untimely deaths have intensified public grief and raised serious concerns about event safety protocols.
Legal Actions and Arrests:
In the aftermath, Bengaluru Police registered multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) against RCB, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), and event management firm DNA Entertainment Networks. Charges include culpable homicide not amounting to murder and public safety violations.
Four individuals have been arrested:
Nikhil Sosale, RCB's Head of Marketing and Revenue
Sunil Mathew, Executive at DNA Entertainment
Sumanth, Executive at DNA Entertainment
Kiran Kumar, Executive at DNA Entertainment
All four have been remanded to 14-day judicial custody.
FIR Filed Against Virat Kohli
Adding to the controversy, social activist H.M. Venkatesh filed an FIR against former Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli at the Cubbon Park police station. The complaint alleges that Kohli's involvement in organizing the event contributed to the overcrowding and inadequate safety measures, leading to the tragedy.
Administrative Actions
The Karnataka government has suspended five senior police officers, including Bengaluru Police Commissioner B. Dayananda, citing failure to manage the event and ensure public safety.
Judicial Proceedings
The Karnataka High Court has granted interim relief to KSCA officials, directing police not to take coercive action against them while legal proceedings are ongoing.
Public and Political Reactions
The incident has sparked political outrage, with opposition parties demanding accountability from the ruling government. Protests have erupted, criticizing the handling of the event and the subsequent administrative actions.
Compensation and Support
RCB has announced a compensation of ₹1 million for the families of each deceased victim. The Karnataka government has pledged ₹10 lakh to each bereaved family and assured coverage of medical expenses for the injured.
Update on 8 June, 2025:
Karnataka govt hikes compensation for families of the deceased from ₹10 lakh to ₹25 lakh.
A tragic event that shook the city — now met with increased support for the grieving families.
For more detailed coverage and updates on this developing story, stay tuned to our website.