RCB Held Responsible for Bengaluru Stampede That Claimed 11 Lives
The Karnataka government has held Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) responsible for the June 4 stampede outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, which resulted in 11 deaths and over 50 injuries. The findings were made public in a status report released on Thursday, July 17, two days after the Karnataka High Court directed its disclosure.
RCB Went Ahead Despite Police Denial, Says Government Report
The government’s report directly blames RCB management, its event partner DNA Networks, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) for organizing the celebratory parade without proper permissions. It states that the event was promoted and carried out despite police rejecting the proposal due to lack of details and short notice.
“There was no formal request for permission from the organisers, nor were required details provided. As a result, permission was not granted,” the report notes. Notably, the KSCA had informed police on June 3 evening about a possible parade if RCB won the IPL 2025 final—which they did later that night. Police reportedly declined the plan, citing regulatory concerns.
Despite this, RCB went ahead and posted an open invitation on social media at 7:01 AM on June 4, calling fans to join the parade from Vidhana Soudha to the stadium.
Social Media Posts Triggered Overwhelming Crowd Surge
The report further highlights how RCB’s social media campaign—featuring posts from team icons, including a video from Virat Kohli urging fans to join the celebrations—caused an overwhelming public response. According to the report, over 300,000 people gathered near the stadium, which has a maximum capacity of only 35,000.
Metro data (BMRCL) showed 9.66 lakh riders on June 4, compared to the normal average of 6 lakh, supporting estimates that more than 3 lakh people flooded the area using various means of transport. The crowd became dangerously compressed around 3 PM, especially at Gates 1, 2, and 21, where security and entry systems collapsed.
Critically, the report notes that initial social media posts claimed entry was free, but it was only at 3:14 PM—after the crowd had already surged—that RCB and its partners clarified entry required free passes, leading to confusion, panic, and chaos.
Legal Violations and Delayed Crowd Control Measures
Authorities said no permission was secured under the Licensing and Controlling of Assemblies and Processions (Bangalore City) Order, 2009, and a mere intimation to police did not satisfy legal requirements.
Crowd control arrangements were reportedly handed over to police only hours before the event, with insufficient preparation to handle the massive turnout. The report emphasizes that police needed more time and information to plan adequate bandobast, which was not provided.
IPS Officers Under Fire, CID Probe Nears Completion
The report also criticizes the role of senior police officers, including IPS officer Vikash Kumar, whose suspension—along with four others—was recently overturned by the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT). The government has now challenged that order, stating that these officers failed to take preventive action and did not impose prohibitory orders under the Police Act.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is currently concluding its probe, with statements recorded from senior officials of RCB and DNA Networks. However, no timeline has been set for the final judgment.
The Bengaluru stampede has triggered serious questions about accountability and coordination between event organizers, cricket franchises, and law enforcement. With one of India’s most loved franchises at the center of the controversy, the aftermath may reshape how public celebrations tied to sports events are regulated going forward.