The Karnataka High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the tragic stampede that occurred near Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) victory celebrations. The incident, which resulted in the deaths of 11 people and injuries to around 40 others, has prompted the court to seek a detailed report from the Siddaramaiah-led state government.
A division bench, headed by Acting Chief Justice V. Kameshwar Rao, registered a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) and expressed serious concerns regarding the incident. The court has directed the government to submit a report explaining the circumstances surrounding the stampede, potential security lapses, and measures taken to prevent similar incidents in the future. The High Court has adjourned the matter to Tuesday.
Senior counsels Hemanth Raj and G.R. Mohan, present in the court, highlighted the security breaches that may have contributed to the tragedy. They informed the court about how large crowds climbed onto the High Court building, situated opposite Vidhana Soudha, to witness the government's felicitation program for the RCB players. Advocate GR Mohan also said he had communicated to the registry through email about a security breach at the high court premises. He stated certain fans gained access to the high court terrace to view the RCB players being facilitated at the Vidhana Soudha.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, when a massive crowd gathered to celebrate RCB's IPL victory. Reports indicate that approximately 2.5 lakh people turned up at the stadium, which has a capacity of only 30,000, leading to overcrowding and chaotic scenes.
In response to the tragedy, the state government has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the families of the deceased and has ordered a magisterial probe into the incident. Post-mortem examinations of the deceased were conducted at Victoria and Bowring Hospitals, and the bodies have been handed over to their families.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka Police have registered Unnatural Death Cases (UDR) regarding the deaths. Social activist Snehamayi Krishna has filed a complaint with the Cubbon Park police against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, and office-bearers of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), demanding accountability for the incident.
The BJP has criticized the state government, calling the deaths "government-sponsored murders" and demanding the resignation of Home Minister G. Parameshwara.
The High Court's intervention underscores the need for a thorough investigation into the causes of the stampede and the implementation of stricter safety measures for public events. The court has asked the government to ascertain if the tragedy could have been averted and what steps need to be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
