The Karnataka government’s report to the High Court holds Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), along with its event partners, DNA Entertainment Networks Pvt Ltd and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), directly responsible for the tragic stampede outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, which claimed 11 lives and injured several others during the IPL victory celebration.
Key Findings from the Report:
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Lack of Police Permission:
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The event organiser DNA Entertainment merely informed the police on June 3 of the planned parade but did not seek mandatory formal permission.
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The police explicitly denied permission, citing security concerns and crowd control limitations, as required under a 2009 city order.
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Despite Denial, RCB Proceeded:
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On June 4, RCB and its affiliates went ahead with public promotions, including open invitations on social media.
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A video by Virat Kohli inviting fans was prominently cited in the report as a key factor in drawing an overwhelming crowd estimated at over 3 lakh people.
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Disorganised Entry and Last-Minute Changes:
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Initially, entry to the stadium was declared free.
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At 3:14 PM on the day of the event, organisers suddenly announced that passes were required, causing panic and confusion among the gathered crowd.
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Poor crowd management, inadequate gate planning, and delays in opening entry points exacerbated the situation, leading to a stampede.
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Seven police personnel were injured while trying to control the chaos.
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Failure of Coordination:
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There was no effective coordination between RCB, DNA Entertainment, and KSCA.
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Authorities were caught off guard by the unexpected turnout, and emergency response was delayed due to lack of pre-event planning.
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Post-Incident Government Actions:
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A magisterial and judicial inquiry has been ordered.
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FIRs have been registered against the event organisers.
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Disciplinary action was taken against police officials for failing to enforce the denial of permission.
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The Chief Minister’s political secretary was suspended.
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The state intelligence chief was transferred for failing to anticipate the risk.
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Compensation has been announced for the families of the deceased and injured.
Implications:
The state’s findings squarely blame RCB and its collaborators for flouting safety protocols and ignoring police instructions, prioritising publicity over public safety. The inclusion of a celebrity appeal by Virat Kohli, while likely unintentional in its consequences, is seen as having significantly contributed to the surge in crowd size.
With legal action and investigations underway, this incident may have long-term repercussions on how sports franchises, celebrities, and event organisers manage mass public events—particularly in urban centers with limited crowd control infrastructure.
