The Karnataka government has officially approved criminal proceedings against Indian Premier League (IPL) team Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), and several senior police and event officials following the June 4 stampede at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium that killed 11 people and injured over 70.
Tragedy Sparked by Poor Planning, Says Probe Report
The decision follows a detailed inquiry by the Justice Michael D’Cunha Commission, which found that the disaster was not an accident, but the result of severe mismanagement and negligence.
Key findings include
- Event went ahead without required police permissions
- Only 79 officers deployed, despite a recommendation of 515
- No medical support, emergency planning, or exit coordination
- Entry and exit points were overcrowded and poorly managed
Who Has Been Named in the Case?
- Royal Challengers Sports Pvt Ltd (RCB)
- KSCA
- DNA Entertainment Networks Pvt Ltd
- RCB officials: Rajesh Menon, Dr. T Venkat Vardhan, Sunil Mathur
- Senior police officers: B Dayananda, Vikash Kumar Vikash, C Balakrishna, Shekar H Tekkanavar, and Girish AK
Virat Kohli Video Cited in Report
A video message from Virat Kohli, urging fans to join RCB’s IPL victory celebrations, was also mentioned in the commission’s report. According to the findings, this public appeal added to the uncontrollable crowd surge on the day of the tragedy.
Lack of Safety Measures Exposed
The chaos unfolded at key stadium gates including Gates 7, 2/2A, 18, and 20 where crowd control completely failed. The report noted:
- No ambulances or triage zones near the venue
- Delayed police response, with top officials arriving hours late
- Confusing barricades and poor communication on-site
Legal and Policy Consequences
The report recommends a series of reforms to prevent such incidents in the future:
- Mandatory emergency medical services at all large events
- Strict enforcement of event licensing and approvals
- Holding organizers criminally accountable in cases of negligence
- Improved venue infrastructure and evacuation plans
- Already, five police officers have been suspended for their roles in the mishandling.
A Legal Battle Ahead
With First Information Reports (FIRs) now filed, RCB, KSCA, and other parties could face serious charges, including culpable homicide. This case may set an important precedent for how major public events are managed in India. For RCB, fresh off their historic IPL title, this marks a sharp and deeply tragic turn in their narrative.
Written by RITESH SINGH
