The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has overturned the suspension of Inspector General of Police-rank IPS officer Vikash Kumar Vikash, who was suspended following a stampede outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on June 4, 2025. The stampede occurred during celebrations for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) IPL victory and resulted in the deaths of 11 fans.

The CAT's decision, made on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, criticized the Karnataka government's handling of the situation, stating that the suspension order was passed in a "mechanical manner" and lacked "convincing material" to demonstrate negligence on the part of the police officer. The tribunal suggested that the government should also revoke the suspensions of other officers involved. These officers include former police commissioner B. Dayananda, former DCP (Central) Shekhar H Tekkannavar, former Cubbon Park ACP Balakrishna, and former Cubbon Park inspector Girish.

The CAT bench, consisting of Justice BK Shrivastava and Member Santosh Mehra, directed the Karnataka government to reinstate Vikash Kumar immediately. They emphasized that the suspensions were made "without any sufficient material or grounds". The tribunal also pointed out that RCB invited fans to the victory celebration without obtaining the necessary police permission.

Furthermore, the CAT order highlighted that the police did not have adequate time to prepare for crowd management, as RCB "suddenly posted" about the event on social media platforms without prior notification. The tribunal stated that expecting the police to make all necessary arrangements within approximately 12 hours was unrealistic. It was also mentioned that the terms of reference to the judicial inquiry commission formed by the State Government to probe the stampede case on June 5 showed that till June 5, “it was not ascertained who are responsible for the lapses and deficiencies."

The tribunal observed that the CEO of RCB had informed the Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru City on June 3, 2025, about holding the victory parade and celebration on June 4, 2025. However, the respondents did not submit the copy of any intimation submitted to the Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru on June 3, 2025.

The CAT order stated that police officers are human and should not be expected to possess supernatural abilities. "Police personnel are also human beings. They are neither “God”(Bhagwan) nor Magician and also not having the magic powers like “Alladdin ka Chirag” which was able to fulfil any wish only by rubbing a finger . To control the aforesaid type of gathering and for making the proper arrangements sufficient time should be given to the Police," the bench remarked.

In response to the CAT order, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated that the government would consider appealing the decision. The state government had suspended the officers, holding them responsible for the stampede that resulted in 11 deaths and numerous injuries.