A major controversy has erupted following the tragic stampede near Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium, which claimed 11 lives and left over 50 injured during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) IPL victory celebration. The latest development involves a formal complaint filed against RCB’s star cricketer Virat Kohli by HM Venkatesh, an activist from Shivamogga district, at the Cubbon Park police station in Bengaluru.
The stampede occurred on Wednesday during a special felicitation event organised by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) to honour the RCB team for their maiden IPL title win after 18 seasons. According to sources, the chaos began when a temporary slab over a drainage system collapsed due to overcrowding. The sudden collapse caused panic and a stampede, with victims aged between 13 and 35.
Despite warnings from the Bengaluru Police, who had suggested the event be held on Sunday due to security and logistical concerns, the felicitation was conducted the next day, allegedly under pressure from KSCA and RCB’s management. It was also revealed that RCB’s social media team publicised the victory parade without obtaining prior police approval, further contributing to the uncontrolled crowd surge.
The Karnataka government has taken strong action in the aftermath. Top police officers, including Bengaluru City Commissioner B Dayananda, were suspended for lapses in security. He has since been replaced by Seemanth Kumar Singh as the new commissioner.
Meanwhile, the Bengaluru Police have arrested RCB's marketing head, Nikhil Sosale, who was taken into custody at the airport while attempting to fly to Mumbai. Sosale, a senior official at Diageo India, has approached the Karnataka High Court, alleging that his arrest was illegal. Additionally, three staffers from DNA Entertainment Pvt Ltd, the event organiser, have also been detained.
At least three FIRs have been filed so far, naming the RCB management, KSCA, and DNA Entertainment Pvt Ltd for negligence, inadequate arrangements, and poor crowd control.
The Cubbon Park police clarified that the activist's complaint against Virat Kohli will be reviewed under the broader investigation that is already underway. Whether Kohli, as a player and public figure, holds any legal liability is yet to be determined.
This tragedy has sparked widespread debate over celebrity events, public safety, and the responsibilities of organisers during mass gatherings.
