Cricket ControversiesIPLIPL 2025IPL and Franchise CricketIPL NewsIPL UpdatesRoyal Challengers BengaluruVirat Kohli
Karnataka Government Blames RCB for Bengaluru Stampede That Killed 11
Deadly Stampede at Chinnaswamy Stadium Sparks Accountability Debate
In a damning report released by the Karnataka government on July 17, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), their event partner DNA Networks, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) have been held responsible for the tragic stampede that occurred outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, 2025. The incident, which took place during RCB’s IPL 2025 victory parade, resulted in the death of 11 people and left over 50 injured.
The report follows a Karnataka High Court directive for transparency after public outrage over the mismanagement of the celebrations.
RCB Accused of Ignoring Police Rejection and Violating Protocol
According to the status report, RCB went ahead with the parade plans without securing mandatory permissions. The police had rejected the proposal citing lack of details and insufficient notice. Despite this, RCB published an open invite on social media at 7:01 AM on June 4, hours before the event, urging fans to join a celebration from Vidhana Soudha to Chinnaswamy Stadium.
“There was no formal request for permission… nor were the required details provided, which meant the request couldn’t be considered,” the report stated.
The KSCA CEO informed the Cubbon Park Police only on the evening of June 3, which was far too late. The state government confirmed that no license was acquired under the Licensing and Controlling of Assemblies and Processions (Bangalore City) Order, 2009.
Massive Crowd Fueled by Viral Social Media Posts
Over 3 Lakh Gather at Chinnaswamy Stadium
The report blames RCB’s promotional content, including a video featuring Virat Kohli asking fans to join the celebration, for causing a viral surge of engagement. The caption read:
“I’m going to feel the real side of it when we get to Bengaluru tomorrow and celebrate this with the city.”
As a result, an estimated 3,00,000 people assembled outside the stadium—nearly 10 times its capacity of 35,000. The Bangalore Metro (BMRCL) ridership data supports this, showing a spike to 9.66 lakh commuters on June 4, compared to the average of 6 lakh on regular days.
Initially, the entry was announced as free for all, but a correction stating “limited free pass entry” was posted only at 3:14 PM—when the crowd had already surged, leading to confusion, anger, and chaos.
Related Read: How IPL 2025 Became a Festival for Bengaluru Fans
Negligence in Crowd Control and Legal Procedures
The report states that crowd control arrangements were left to the Bengaluru Police just hours before the event. Entry gates including Gate 1, 2, and 21 were overcrowded, and security arrangements broke down completely.
No standard protocol was followed:
-
No advance police clearance
-
No inter-departmental coordination
-
No risk assessment conducted
The report emphasizes that a mere intimation to police does not replace formal licensing.
Government Challenges Tribunal’s Reinstatement of IPS Officers
The government has also challenged the Central Administrative Tribunal’s (CAT) order which revoked the suspension of IPS officer Vikash Kumar and four others. The report accuses the officers of failing to issue prohibitory orders or act preemptively.
“What was the officer doing? Instead of prohibiting the event, arrangements were made for celebration,” the report questioned.
CID Probe in Final Stages
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has completed major parts of its investigation. Senior officials from RCB and DNA Networks have been questioned. However, no timeline has been announced for when the final verdict will be delivered.
The tragic stampede that marred RCB’s IPL 2025 victory celebration was not just an accident, but a failure of planning, communication, and law enforcement. With massive social media influence, last-minute decision-making, and blatant disregard for legal norms, the incident stands as a reminder that celebrations without safety protocols can turn deadly.
The Karnataka government’s report sends a strong message about accountability—no matter how big the brand or the occasion.
