In the wake of the tragic stampede outside Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, which resulted in 11 fatalities and numerous injuries, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has taken legal recourse by filing a petition with the Karnataka High Court, seeking to quash the FIR registered against them. The FIR also names Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and event management firm DNA Entertainment Private Limited.
The legal action follows the events of Wednesday, June 4, 2025, when a large crowd gathered near the stadium to celebrate RCB's IPL victory. Initial plans for a victory parade from Vidhana Soudha to the stadium were called off due to traffic concerns, leading to confusion and a massive influx of fans towards the stadium. The situation escalated when Gate 3 was partially opened, causing a chaotic surge as people, both with and without tickets, attempted to enter the premises.
The state government has responded swiftly to the tragedy. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident, tasking retired Karnataka High Court judge Justice Michael D'Cunha with investigating the lapses in planning, coordination, and crowd management. The commission is expected to submit its report within a month. Furthermore, the government has suspended several police officers, including Bengaluru City Police Commissioner B. Dayananda, for alleged negligence. Seemanth Kumar Singh, IPS, has been appointed as the new Bengaluru city police commissioner.
Adding to the developments, police have arrested Nikhil Sosale, the marketing head of RCB, and Sunil Mathew of the event management company DNA at Kempegowda International Airport. Reports indicate that four officials from RCB and DNA entertainment have been taken into custody.
KSCA President Raghu Ram Bhat, along with other office bearers, filed the petition in the High Court on Friday, June 6, 2025. Justice Krishna Kumar is expected to hear the petition later today. The Chief Minister had instructed the state DG and IGP to immediately arrest representatives of RCB, DNA entertainment, and KSCA, citing "irresponsibility" and "carelessness" on their part.
The incident has drawn criticism, with some questioning the government's crowd management strategies. The Karnataka High Court has also taken suo motu cognizance of the stampede.
