On June 4, 2025, Bengaluru witnessed a tragic stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during a victory parade organized by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to celebrate their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title win after an 18-year drought. The incident claimed 11 lives and left over 50 people injured, sparking widespread outrage and a subsequent investigation. A Karnataka government report, submitted to the High Court and made public on July 17, 2025, has pinned the blame on RCB, its event management partner DNA Networks Private Limited, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) for serious lapses in planning and execution. Notably, the report highlights a video by RCB’s star player Virat Kohli as a key factor in drawing an overwhelming crowd, raising questions about accountability, crowd management, and the role of social media in public events. This article delves into the details of the incident, the government’s findings, the political fallout, and the broader implications.
The Incident: A Celebration Turned Tragedy
RCB’s IPL 2025 victory, secured on June 3 in Ahmedabad against Punjab Kings, marked a historic moment for the franchise. With a challenging total of 190/9, led by Virat Kohli’s 43 runs, RCB finally clinched the title after previous final losses in 2009, 2011, and 2016. To celebrate, RCB announced a victory parade from Vidhana Soudha to Chinnaswamy Stadium, inviting fans to join the festivities. The event, however, spiraled into chaos as an estimated three to five lakh fans gathered, far exceeding the stadium’s capacity of 35,000. Metro ridership surged to 9.66 lakh, compared to a daily average of 6 lakh, and crowds lined a 14-km stretch from HAL Airport to Taj West End, where the team was staying.
The Karnataka government’s report details how the situation deteriorated. Private security staff, deployed by RCB and its partners, lacked clear instructions on gate timings or access control. Gates remained closed until after 3:10 PM, causing agitation among the swelling crowd. By 3:30 PM, frustrated fans broke open gates numbered 1, 2, and 21, leading to sporadic stampedes at multiple entry points. The report notes that the lack of coordination and inadequate safety measures turned the celebratory event into a deadly disaster.
Karnataka Government’s Report: RCB’s Lapses Under Scrutiny
The Karnataka government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, submitted a status report to the High Court, which was made public following a court order rejecting the government’s plea for confidentiality. The report accuses RCB, DNA Networks, and KSCA of organizing the parade “unilaterally” without obtaining formal permission from Bengaluru City Police, as mandated by the Licensing and Controlling of Assemblies and Processions (Bangalore City) Order, 2009. On June 3, RCB informed the police of a possible parade but failed to submit mandatory details such as crowd size, logistics, or safety plans, leading to a police denial of permission.
The report argues that Kohli’s video, combined with RCB’s social media campaign, significantly contributed to the massive crowd, which overwhelmed the unprepared organizers and police. It also notes that a post mentioning limited-entry passes on shop.royalchallengers.com was unclear and came too late, implying the event was open to all. The lack of coordination with authorities and inadequate crowd control measures are cited as critical failures.
Political Fallout: BJP Slams Siddaramaiah Government
The report has sparked a political firestorm, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) slamming the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government. BJP MLA and Deputy Leader of the Opposition Aravind Bellad accused the government of hypocrisy, claiming it sought to take credit for RCB’s victory but shifted blame to the franchise and Kohli after the tragedy. “If there was an intimation by RCB that they will hold the event, then the government should have refused permission. Just to take credit for the victory, the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister invited people. To now put the blame on a great player like Virat Kohli or RCB is wrong,” Bellad told NDTV.
The BJP’s criticism highlights a perceived attempt by the government to deflect responsibility. Posts on X, including one from @IndiaToday, echoed this sentiment, quoting BJP spokesperson Tom Vadakkan: “It is clear Siddaramaiah govt is to be blamed for this and they are trying to pass the buck to Virat Kohli.” The government’s decision to suspend five police officials, including Bengaluru Police Commissioner B. Dayananda and Inspector General Vikash Kumar Vikash, has also drawn scrutiny. The government argued before the High Court that these officers acted as “servants of RCB,” failing to question the event’s lack of senior-level consultation, which it deemed a serious dereliction of duty.
Actions Taken and Ongoing Investigations
In response to the tragedy, the Karnataka government took swift action. On June 5, it suspended top police officials at Cubbon Park Police Station and formed a one-man commission under a retired High Court judge to probe the incident. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh for the families of the deceased, later increased to Rs 25 lakh. Karnataka Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao emphasized that strict action would be taken against those responsible, stating, “This is not a blame game here.”
Vikash Kumar Vikash, one of the suspended officers, challenged his dismissal before the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), which noted in its 29-page order that RCB’s actions drew the massive crowd. The Karnataka High Court’s order to make the report public underscored transparency, rejecting the government’s request for confidentiality due to a lack of legal justification.
Broader Implications: Social Media and Crowd Management
The Bengaluru stampede raises critical questions about the role of social media in mobilizing large crowds and the responsibilities of event organizers. RCB’s posts, particularly Kohli’s video, leveraged the franchise’s massive fanbase, but the lack of coordination with authorities and inadequate planning proved disastrous. The incident echoes other crowd-related tragedies, underscoring the need for stringent safety protocols, clear communication, and adherence to legal requirements for public events.
The mention of Kohli’s name in the report has sparked debate about whether individual players should be held accountable for organizational failures. While Kohli’s video was a promotional tool, the responsibility for crowd management and permissions lies with RCB and its partners. The incident also highlights the challenges of managing public enthusiasm in a city like Bengaluru, where cricket, particularly RCB, commands a fervent following.
Last Updated on: Thursday, July 17, 2025 5:48 pm by Ventrapati Mahitha | Published by: Ventrapati Mahitha on Thursday, July 17, 2025 5:48 pm | News Categories: News
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