In the wake of the tragic stampede at Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has moved the Karnataka High Court seeking to quash the First Information Report (FIR) filed against them. The stampede, which occurred on June 4, 2025, during celebrations for the Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) IPL victory, resulted in the deaths of 11 people and injuries to dozens more.
The KSCA's petition, filed on June 6, 2025, by President Raghuram Bhat, Secretary A. Shankar, and Treasurer E.S. Jairam, appeals for the cancellation of the FIR. The bench of Justice Krishna Kumar is scheduled to hear the matter.
The Bengaluru police have registered an FIR against RCB, event management firm DNA Entertainment Private Limited, and the KSCA, citing criminal negligence. The FIR includes charges such as culpable homicide not amounting to murder, voluntarily causing hurt, and acts endangering life or personal safety.
According to the FIR, KSCA CEO Shubendu Ghosh approached the Cubbon Park police on June 3, 2025, requesting security arrangements for a "likely victory celebration of RCB" the following evening. However, the police denied the request, citing concerns about overcrowding and insufficient time to ensure safety. Despite this denial, the organizers allegedly proceeded with the event. The FIR also alleges that RCB, KSCA, and DNA pressured the police to allow the celebration, despite their reservations.
The police have accused the organizers of failing to plan fan entry adequately, providing misleading information about passes, and allowing misinformation to circulate on social media, which led to a massive gathering. The FIR states that the stampede and deaths could have been avoided with proper communication and planning.
In addition to the KSCA seeking to quash the FIR, the police have arrested several individuals in connection with the incident. Nikhil Sosale, the marketing head of RCB, and Sunil Mathew of DNA Entertainment were arrested at Kempegowda International Airport.
In response to the tragedy, the Karnataka government has taken several actions. Chief Minister K. Siddaramaiah has ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident, led by retired Karnataka High Court judge Justice Michael D'Cunha, to investigate lapses in planning, coordination, and crowd management. The commission is expected to submit its report within a month. The government has also suspended top police officials, including Bengaluru City Police Commissioner B. Dayananda, for the lapses leading to the tragedy. Seemanth Kumar Singh, IPS officer, has been appointed as the new Bengaluru city police commissioner.
Furthermore, the Karnataka High Court has ordered the state government to submit a status report on the stampede, explaining the reasons behind the incident, whether it could have been prevented, and the remedial measures that can be adopted in the future.
The state government has announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh per deceased family, with the KSCA and RCB contributing ₹5 lakh and ₹10 lakh respectively, bringing the total compensation to ₹25 lakh per family. RCB has also committed to covering medical expenses for the injured and has established a special fund, 'RCB Cares,' to support the victims.
