Bengaluru stampede case: What we know so far on RCB's celebrations that turned catastrophic

Royal Challengers Bengaluru should be celebrating their maiden IPL title success. Instead, the franchise is under-fire for the tragic scenes at M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday which claimed the lives of 11 individuals and left 75 injured.

On 3 June, RCB beat Punjab Kings in the IPL Final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This was their first IPL title in the 18th season of India's T20 league. During the post-match celebrations, Virat Kohli, former India and RCB captain and an icon for the team, announces there will be city-wide celebrations the day after.

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The day after, on 4 June, RCB leave from Ahmedabad for Bengaluru with plans of conducting an open-bus parade and a ceremony at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Upon landing in Bengaluru, the team got into a bus and were welcomed by thousands.



During this time, their plans of an open bus parade were cancelled by the Bengaluru Traffic Police due to concerns over congestion on the route. The franchise posted on X that a ceremony will go ahead at the team's home stadium at 5pm local time.

RCB's next stop, with a short halt at a hotel for check-in, was the Vidhan Soudha to meet the Chief Minister where they were felicitated by the state government for the achievement.

Meanwhile, at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, the crowd had swelled to unimaginable levels catching the security, police and organisers off guard.

Despite heavy rain at the venue which has a capacity of 35,000 people, nearly 10-times the number turned up to catch a glimpse of the team and partake in the celebrations.

As the team celebrated inside, many fans were crushed outside. In shambolic and chaotic scenes, RCB, event management company DNA, and Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) failed to ensure smooth access.

Also read: How bad planning and rumors led to Bengaluru stampede

With situation getting worse, the toll continued to rise gradually until it reached 11 dead and 75 injured. In the aftermath, FIRs have been registered, a one-member commission, headed by retired judge Justice Michael Cunha, has been launched by the government to probe the incident. Karnataka High Court, meanwhile, registered a suo motu case in the stampede.

RCB announce compensation

RCB announced a financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of the 11 supporters, who lost their lives in the stampede.

"As a mark of respect and a gesture of solidarity, RCB has announced a financial support of Rs 10 lakh to each of the eleven families of the deceased. In addition, a fund called RCB Cares is also being created to support fans injured in this tragic incident," the team has said in a statement.



In a social media statement prior to this, the franchise had said, "RCB mourns the tragic loss of lives and extends our heartfelt condolences to the affected families. Immediately upon being made aware of the situation, we promptly amended our program and followed the guidance and advice of the local administration," the RCB said in a statement.

"We are deeply anguished by the unfortunate incidents that have come to light through media reports regarding public gatherings all over Bengaluru in anticipation of the team’s arrival this afternoon. The safety and well-being of everyone is of utmost importance to us.

"We urge all our supporters to please stay safe," RCB said in the statement released late in the evening.


Virat Kohli posted on Instagram, "At a loss for words. Absolutely gutted."

FIRs filed against RCB, DNA, KSCA

The Cubbon Park police filed FIRs against RCB, DNA and KSCA in the case. Lodged by Police Inspector Girish A.K., the FIR has been registered under Sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 118(1) (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by using dangerous weapons or means), 118(2) read with Section 3(5) (voluntarily causing grievous hurt, when the act is done by several persons in furtherance of common intention), 190 (unlawful assembly), 132 (criminal force to deter a public servant), 125(a) (filing false affidavit), and 125(b) (rash and negligent acts that endanger human life).

“This incident occurred because appropriate arrangements were not made for the fans to enter the stadium. The announcement by the RCB on their official website that free passes would be distributed at the gates for the public is the reason for the gathering of lakhs of people. It was difficult to avert the incident. The police had deputed sufficient officers and cops, initiated all required security measures, and thereby averted a much larger tragedy,” the FIR stated.

The FIR clarified that the officers of the Cubbon Park Sub-Division were deputed to duty until 5.30 am on June 4 (the morning after RCB's title win).

The FIR states: “At 6 p.m. on June 3, Shubendu Ghosh, the Chief Executive Officer of the KSCA, submitted a memorandum to the Police Inspector seeking arrangements for security measures for the victory celebrations at the stadium on June 4. The inspector told him clearly that if RCB wins, the fans will celebrate all night, and security arrangements will have to be made for that. If the KSCA organises another programme the next day, there will be disruption.”

The FIR further stated that RCB, KSCA, and DNA managements, by not providing correct information on passes and free entry to people and fans, created confusion among lakhs of fans that reached the stadium, resulting in pushing and chaos. Following this, a stampede occurred at gate numbers 2, 2A, 6, 7, 15, 17, 18, and 21.

“The Police Inspector told him that time was needed to arrange security measures, and permission was therefore denied for victory celebrations. Despite the denial of permission, RCB, DNA, and KSCA exerted pressure for the victory celebrations event to be held on June 4.

"Afterwards, senior officers prepared security measures and sought permission from the Bengaluru Police Commissioner. Police personnel were immediately brought in from all police stations of Bengaluru city, and security was also arranged at the Vidhana Soudha programme to felicitate players,” the FIR mentions.

To manage the crowd, additional staff was brought in from the Police Training Centre and Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP). Traffic police were deputed to manage vehicle movements, and a traffic advisory was issued. Security was arranged at the HAL airport where the RCB players arrived, at the star hotel where they checked in, and separate pilot escorts were arranged for the RCB players, says the FIR.

Karnataka HC seeks report from govt.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah addresses a press conference, in Bengaluru. (PTI)

The Karnataka High Court sought a report from the state government on the lapses and other details concerning the stampede incident near the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Taking cognisance of the stampede incident, the high court registered a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) and sought a report from the state government.

A division bench, headed by acting Chief Justice V. Kameshwar Rao, expressing concern over the tragedy, questioned the government on whether the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were followed and if adequate guidelines were framed to handle the situation at the Chinnaswamy Stadium during the victory celebrations.

Arrests made, top cop suspended

Nikhil Sosale

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the suspension of five senior police officers, including the Bengaluru Police Commissioner and DCP (Central Division) in connection with the to stampede.

The order underlined that: “The CEO of RCB had intimated Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru City on June 3 about holding the victory parade and celebrations on June 4. However, the office of Police Commissioner failed to give written reply to the organisers, rejecting permission on the grounds of lack of time to prepare for such a huge event.”

On Friday (June 6), the Karnataka Police arrested RCB Marketing Head Nikhil Sosale and DNA Event Management Company staffers - Sunil Matthew, Kiran, and Sumanth - at the airport. As per news reports, hunt is on for Rajesh Menon, Head and Vice President of RCB; K.T. Majeed, Director and Chief Financial Officer of DNA Event Management Firm; Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Secretary A. Shankar; and Treasurer Jayaram.

It is believed that the case will be handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) by the end of the day.