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CAT Holds RCB ‘Prima Facie Responsible’ for Tragic Bengaluru Stampede During IPL Victory Parade
RCB’s Celebration Turns Deadly: CAT Points to “Lack of Coordination”
The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has issued a significant ruling in connection with the deadly stampede that occurred on June 4, 2025, outside Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) IPL victory celebration. The incident, which claimed 11 lives and injured many more, unfolded during the public gathering organized to honor RCB’s historic IPL 2025 title win.
In its official statement, CAT held RCB “prima facie responsible” for the chaos, citing poor coordination and failure to obtain necessary permissions from the police and administrative bodies.
CAT Absolves Police, Highlights RCB’s Social Media Trigger
The tribunal was responding to a petition filed by Additional Commissioner of Police Vikash Kumar Vikash, who was one of several top officers suspended in the aftermath of the stampede. After reviewing the circumstances, CAT observed that the primary trigger for the stampede was a social media post by RCB, which drew an uncontrolled crowd of 3 to 5 lakh people to central Bengaluru.
“RCB did not take appropriate permission or consent from the police. Suddenly, they posted on social media platforms… as a result, people gathered,” stated the tribunal.
The CAT further emphasized that law enforcement was not given sufficient time to prepare for such a massive turnout. It ruled that the short notice of barely 12 hours made it impossible for the police to fulfill their duties as per the Police Act and other regulatory frameworks.
Inadequate Communication from KSCA Also Under Scrutiny
H3: KSCA’s Letter Failed to Seek Permission
The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) also came under the scanner. CAT noted that KSCA had sent a letter to local authorities, but it merely stated their intention to hold a celebration — it did not seek formal permission or security arrangements.
“It was not expected from the police to make full arrangements based on just a letter of intent submitted to the station in-charge,” CAT added.
The lack of formal channels and structured planning contributed heavily to the breakdown in crowd control, ultimately resulting in a tragic loss of life.
Read more on IPL 2025: RCB’s historic championship win and post-match highlights
Aftermath: Arrests, Resignations, and Accountability
In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah ordered strong disciplinary actions. This included the arrest of officials from RCB, event management company DNA Networks, and KSCA.
Several senior law enforcement officers were suspended, including:
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B Dayananda (Bengaluru Police Commissioner)
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Vikash Kumar Vikash (Addl. Commissioner – West)
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Shekhar H Tekkannavar (DCP – Central)
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Senior officials from Cubbon Park Police Station
Facing public and administrative pressure, KSCA secretary A Shankar and treasurer ES Jairam resigned from their positions, accepting moral responsibility for the event mismanagement.
RCB’s Maiden Title Win Overshadowed by Tragedy
Just a day before the incident, RCB had won their first-ever IPL title by defeating Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The victory parade was intended to be a celebratory homecoming for the players, but the absence of crowd management turned the moment into a horrific disaster.
Massive crowds gathered outside Vidhana Soudha and the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, overwhelming the security apparatus and leading to a deadly stampede that shocked the cricketing fraternity.
Lessons from the Tragedy: Coordination and Responsibility in Mass Events
This incident raises critical questions about event management accountability in Indian sports. The CAT ruling sets a precedent for holding private franchises and sporting bodies accountable for public safety — especially when events are promoted on mass platforms like social media.
Event organizers, especially those associated with major IPL franchises, must now consider formal police coordination, written permissions, and crowd control mechanisms as non-negotiable prerequisites for any public engagement.
Cricket’s Glory Marred by Avoidable Tragedy
While RCB’s IPL 2025 triumph was a historic milestone, the ensuing stampede has served as a grim reminder of what happens when celebrations are conducted without structure and accountability. The CAT’s ruling has placed the responsibility where it is due — and it is now up to cricketing bodies, franchises, and local authorities to ensure such a tragedy is never repeated.
