Bhaskar Rao, the former police commissioner of Bengaluru, has openly criticized the recent suspension of police officers following the tragic stampede incident that occurred on June 4, 2025, outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The stampede, which resulted in the deaths of 11 people and injuries to many more, happened during a felicitation ceremony planned to honor the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) after their IPL victory. Rao, who served as Bengaluru's police commissioner from 2019 to 2020, deemed the suspensions unjustified.
In an exclusive conversation with NDTV, Rao recalled a specific instance where he felt compelled to disobey an order from then Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. This revelation sheds light on the complexities and pressures faced by senior police officials when navigating the intersection of political directives and public safety.
The incident Rao recounted occurred in December 2013, during the winter session of the Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi. At the time, Rao was serving as the Inspector-General (IG) of Police in Belagavi. A person had attempted suicide by consuming poison in front of the Vidhana Soudha and subsequently died in the hospital. The opposition parties demanded that the body be brought to the Vidhana Soudha. Rao stated that Siddaramaiah asked him to comply with this demand.
However, Rao refused, explaining to Siddaramaiah that doing so would likely result in chaos and necessitate police resorting to firing to control the situation. He stood his ground, even after, according to Rao, the Chief Minister's personal assistant called him "20 to 22 times" to pressure him to follow the order. Rao’s rationale was that maintaining public order and preventing further tragedy outweighed the political considerations.
This anecdote highlights a critical aspect of law enforcement: the need for police officers to make independent judgments based on their assessment of the situation, even if it means disagreeing with political authorities. Rao's decision demonstrates a commitment to prioritizing public safety and preventing potential escalation, even when faced with significant pressure from the Chief Minister's office.
The recent stampede incident and the subsequent suspension of police officials have ignited a debate about accountability and responsibility. Siddaramaiah's government has faced criticism for its handling of the situation, with opposition parties accusing the government of making the police officers "scapegoats." Siddaramaiah has defended the suspensions, stating that those who did not fulfill their responsibilities properly have been held accountable. He has also distanced the government from the event, blaming mismanagement by the police, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), and RCB.
Bhaskar Rao's comments add another layer to this complex situation. By sharing his past experience, he underscores the difficult position in which police officers often find themselves, where they must balance political expectations with their duty to maintain law and order. Rao's stance is that if maintaining public order requires going against an order, one should do that.
The Karnataka government has ordered an inquiry into the stampede, led by retired High Court judge John Michael D'Cunha, and has also instructed the arrest of representatives from RCB, DNA event managers, and KSCA, citing negligence.
