4 Karnataka cops suspended for stampede reinstated

BENGALURU: Karnataka government has reinstated four of the five police officers suspended over the June 4 stampede outside Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium that left 11 people dead.

The decision to reinstate the officers - including former Bengaluru City police commissioner B Dayananda, deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Shekar H Tekkananavar, ACP C Balakrishna, and inspector AK Girish - was notified through a govt circular, which stated that disciplinary proceedings were still pending against them.

The fifth officer - additional commissioner of police (west) Vikash Kumar Vikash - continues to remain suspended. "Vikash had challenged his suspension before Central Administrative Tribunal, which termed the order improper. State government has appealed to high court, and the matter is still pending. Hence, his suspension remains in place," said a source.

The order stated that the suspensions were revoked based on reports of judicial and magisterial inquiries, as well as representations from the officers, requesting reinstatement.

Further action will depend on the outcome of the departmental proceedings, the order clarified.