Karnataka Government Blames RCB, Raises Alarms Over Lapses in Stampede Tragedy at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium
In a damning status report submitted to the Karnataka High Court, the state government has cited grave mismanagement and procedural violations by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise, their event partner DNA Networks Pvt. Ltd., and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), for the tragic stampede that occurred outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on June 4, 2025.
The incident claimed 11 lives and left more than 50 others injured.
According to the government’s report, the tragedy was not the result of an unforeseeable event but rather the consequence of avoidable negligence and disregard for public safety protocols.
The report lays particular blame on RCB and its affiliates for failing to secure proper permissions and ignoring police advisories. #BengaluruStampede
Last-Minute Intimation and Police Denial
As per the government’s submission, the first official intimation about a planned RCB victory celebration was received only at 6:30 PM on June 3, less than 24 hours before the event.
The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), on behalf of DNA Networks Pvt. Ltd., handed over a written communication to the Cubbon Park police station, merely notifying them that a celebration might be held if RCB clinched the Indian Premier League (IPL) title.
This communication, the report notes, was not a formal requisition for event permission as mandated under the Licensing and Controlling of Assemblies and Processions (Bangalore City) Order, 2009.
Citing insufficient details on critical aspects—such as the expected crowd size, logistical planning, and security arrangements—the police formally denied permission for the event.
However, this denial was ignored.
Social Media Promotion Despite Denial
On the morning of June 4, the very day of the event, RCB’s official X handle (@RCBtweets) posted an invitation video featuring star cricketer Virat Kohli, inviting fans to gather at the stadium and join the celebration.
The video, uploaded at 8:55 AM, came after thousands of people had already begun arriving at the stadium. The post did not just serve as an invite—it announced the availability of free online passes, causing a massive surge in crowd movement.
According to the report, these promotional materials collectively received millions of views, with some videos attracting up to 17 lakh views individually.
The sheer visibility and fanfare surrounding the posts led to an unprecedented rush, resulting in a crowd estimated at more than 3 lakh people. Many traveled on foot, in private vehicles, and through public transport from across Karnataka and neighboring states. #RCBVictoryCelebration
Failure to Follow Protocols
The state’s findings highlight that RCB, DNA Networks, and KSCA did not comply with mandatory legal procedures, including formal police approvals and crowd control planning. None of the organisers had prepared a contingency plan or risk mitigation measures, despite anticipating a massive turnout.
The report further states that due to the last-minute nature of the intimation and absence of necessary data, the police had little opportunity to prepare effective security arrangements.
Yet, despite the denial, the organisers went ahead with promotional activities that drew overwhelming crowds to the stadium. #EventMismanagement
Political Blame Game Erupts
Reacting sharply to the report, Aravind Bellad, BJP MLA and Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, accused the Congress-led government of hypocrisy and blamed them for trying to shift responsibility onto the cricket franchise and players.
“RCB wasn’t the only entity inviting fans. Senior government officials, including ministers and even the DPAR Secretary, made televised appeals for the public to join the celebration.
The Congress government, including Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, wanted to take credit for the IPL win. Now, after the tragedy, they’re pinning blame on RCB and even Virat Kohli,” Bellad said. #PoliticalBlameGame
He questioned the rationale behind suspending senior police officers if RCB was solely responsible. “If the government believed the event posed a security threat, why didn’t it officially ban it? The Chief Minister himself should take responsibility and apologise,” Bellad added.
Why the Parade Wasn’t Cancelled
In response to criticism over why the state didn’t stop the event after the stampede, the report explained that calling off the event entirely could have triggered chaos and even more harm.
Authorities feared that a sudden cancellation might escalate tensions among the crowd, leading to law and order breakdowns in other parts of Bengaluru.
Instead, the state opted for what it termed a “measured response”, drastically shortening the event’s duration and ramping up surveillance and crowd control efforts inside the stadium. #CrowdControlCrisis
Commission of Inquiry and Accountability
Following the tragic incident, the Karnataka government took immediate administrative steps. On June 5, top police officials from Cubbon Park Police Station were suspended pending investigation.
Additionally, a one-man commission, led by a retired High Court judge, was appointed to conduct a comprehensive probe into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The commission is expected to examine the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders—including government officials, the franchise, and event managers—and suggest reforms to prevent such incidents in the future.
The stampede outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium has emerged as one of the deadliest peacetime crowd disasters in Bengaluru’s history.
The tragedy has not only taken lives but also raised serious questions about governance, public safety, and the growing trend of unregulated large-scale gatherings driven by social media outreach.
#RCBStampede #PublicSafety #BengaluruNews #ViratKohli #IPL2025 #KarnatakaGovernment
