Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah has ordered the arrest of representatives from Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), DNA Entertainment, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), following the tragic stampede outside Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium that claimed 11 lives.
An FIR has already been lodged in connection with the incident, and several senior police officers have been suspended, including the Inspector of Cubbon Park Police Station, the Station House Officer, the jurisdictional ACP, the Central DCP, the ACP in charge of the stadium, and the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner.
The FIR, filed under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, includes charges such as culpable homicide not amounting to murder, voluntarily causing hurt, and unlawful assembly. The complaint, lodged by a police inspector, also names DNA Entertainment as an accused party. The political fallout has been swift, with the BJP demanding the resignation of CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, accusing the Congress government of negligence and mismanagement.
Shivakumar, visibly emotional, accepted moral responsibility, while also accusing the opposition of exploiting the tragedy for political gain. Deputy Commissioner G Jagadeesha, leading a magisterial inquiry, has issued notices to KSCA, RCB, and the city police commissioner. The Karnataka High Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the matter and asked the state to submit a status report by 10 June. Meanwhile, Home Minister Parameshwara announced plans for a new SOP for large public events to prevent future incidents. Despite official actions, families of the victims remain inconsolable, with relatives questioning the lack of preparation and warning signs. Funeral processions in Yelahanka and across towns such as Siddapur and Udumalaipettai bore witness to the human cost of the tragedy. The investigation has now been handed over to the CID, with a Special Investigation Team to lead the probe.