Tragedy Mars RCB’s Historic IPL Win: 11 Dead in Stampede; CM Orders Probe, RCB Knocks High Court
Bengaluru, June 5, 2025 – A day of jubilation turned into a nightmare as a massive stampede outside Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium claimed 11 lives and left over 75 injured during celebrations for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title victory.
What was meant to be a triumphant homecoming for the team descended into chaos as an estimated 2 to 3 lakh fans swarmed the stadium, far exceeding its 35,000 capacity. With barricades collapsing and exits overwhelmed, a deadly crush ensued, prompting swift condemnation from state authorities and a judicial probe into the lapses that led to the disaster.
CM Orders Probe, Suspends Officials Amid Outrage
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced a magisterial inquiry into the incident and suspended five police officers for alleged dereliction of duty. Expressing anguish over the tragedy, he distanced himself from the event’s planning, stating that he was not informed about security concerns raised earlier by officials.
“Prima facie, this happened due to dereliction of duty by officials,” Siddaramaiah said. “I was not informed by the Bengaluru City Police commissioner about security arrangements near Chinnaswamy Stadium. I am deeply hurt by this incident.”
The Chief Minister also revealed that a letter from Deputy Commissioner of Police (Vidhana Soudha Security) Karibasavana Gowda, flagging potential risks of holding the event, was not brought to his attention.
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, meanwhile, deflected questions about Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot’s presence at the event, stating, “I don’t know who invited the Governor. Since a judicial probe is underway, I won’t comment further.”
Judicial Inquiry Launched, Report Expected in a Month
Retired High Court Judge Justice B.A. Cunha has been appointed to lead the investigation into the stampede. The commission is expected to submit its findings within a month, examining security lapses, crowd management failures, and accountability.
RCB Moves High Court to Quash FIR
Amid the fallout, RCB and event management firm DNA Network filed petitions in the Karnataka High Court seeking to quash the FIR registered against them. The franchise argued that the stampede occurred on public roads and pedestrian pathways, outside their jurisdiction.
In their plea, RCB and DNA Network contended that they had “no role in inviting the public or promoting the event”, emphasizing that the government had organized the celebrations. They also alleged “political pressure” behind the FIR, calling it an “abuse of law” and sought an interim stay on proceedings.
Police Case Adds to Legal Turmoil
The Bengaluru Police had booked RCB, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), and DNA Network under various penal sections, holding them responsible for negligence. However, the petitioners argued that multiple FIRs for the same incident violated legal norms and Supreme Court guidelines.
“The government’s own failure in crowd control led to this tragedy,” the plea stated, accusing authorities of attempting to “tarnish the reputation” of long-standing organizations.
Stadium’s Future Under Scrutiny
With public outrage growing, the state government is considering relocating Chinnaswamy Stadium, citing safety concerns. The tragic incident has reignited debates about infrastructure limitations and the need for stricter crowd management protocols during large-scale events.
A City in Mourning
As Bengaluru grieves the lives lost, questions remain over how a celebratory moment turned fatal. The judicial probe’s findings will be crucial in determining accountability—and ensuring such a disaster never recurs.
