Following the tragic stampede at Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, which resulted in 11 fatalities and numerous injuries during celebrations for the Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) IPL victory, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has taken decisive action. He has ordered the suspension of Bengaluru City Police Commissioner B. Dayananda and other senior police officials, citing negligence and dereliction of duty in managing the massive crowd that had gathered.
In addition to the suspensions, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has directed the immediate arrest of representatives from Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), the event management firm DNA Entertainment, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). An FIR has already been filed against these entities, holding them accountable for criminal negligence leading to the tragic incident. The FIR cites several serious charges, including culpable homicide and illegal assembly.
The Chief Minister has also announced the formation of a one-man judicial commission, headed by retired Karnataka High Court judge Justice Michael D'Cunha, to conduct a thorough inquiry into the circumstances that led to the stampede. This commission is expected to submit its report within 30 days, providing a detailed account of the incident and recommendations for preventing similar tragedies in the future.
The state government has faced criticism over alleged mismanagement and inadequate safety measures during the event. The Karnataka High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the stampede, demanding a status report from the government and seeking explanations on whether the tragedy could have been averted. The court has also requested a comprehensive plan to prevent such incidents in the future.
In response to the tragedy, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has pledged full cooperation with the ongoing legal proceedings and announced a financial aid of ₹10 lakh to each victim's family. The franchise has also launched the 'RCB Cares' fund to support the injured and affected families.
The incident has sparked outrage and political reactions, with the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) launching a strong attack on the Congress-led Karnataka government. The BJP has demanded the arrest of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, drawing parallels to past cases of negligence.
Seemanth Kumar Singh has been appointed as the new Bengaluru Police Commissioner, succeeding the suspended B. Dayananda. The government has also suspended other top police officials, including the Additional Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Assistant Commissioner of Police, and officers from the Cubbon Park Police Station, all effective immediately.
The Cubbon Park Police Station had initially denied permission for the celebratory event, citing security concerns and the potential for large crowds. However, KSCA reportedly insisted on holding the event, leading to the deployment of security measures that proved insufficient to manage the overwhelming number of fans.
The tragic stampede has raised serious questions about the planning, coordination, and safety measures implemented for large-scale public events. The ongoing investigations and judicial inquiry are expected to shed light on the lapses and negligence that contributed to the disaster, ensuring accountability and prompting necessary reforms to prevent similar incidents in the future. The government has assured that no one will be spared and that stringent action will be taken against all those found responsible.
