Bengaluru stampede case: Who is Nikhil Sosale, the RCB official arrested by police

The Bengaluru Police have arrested Nikhil Sosale, marketing head for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Diageo India, and three others from DNA Entertainment Networks on Friday morning in connection with the stampede that occurred during RCB's IPL victory celebrations on Wednesday. RCB's maiden IPL title celebrations turned tragic resulting in 11 deaths and 75 injured.

The arrests took place following directions from Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who called for action against officials from RCB, DNA Entertainment, and Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). Sosale was taken into custody at Bengaluru airport while attempting to travel to Mumbai.


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Three staff members from DNA Entertainment Networks Pvt. Ltd have been detained by the police as part of the ongoing investigation into the tragic incident. They've been identified as Sunil Mathew (director and vice president), Sumatnth (DNA ticketing official) and Kiran Kumar (manager).

The state government has suspended several top police officials, including Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda. A one-man judicial commission, headed by retired Karnataka High Court judge Justice Michael D'Cunha, has been established to investigate the case within 30 days.



The stampede occurred outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium during celebrations following RCB's first-ever IPL championship victory against Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The tragedy unfolded during a victory parade that was initially denied permission by the Bengaluru Police.

Despite the initial denial, RCB announced on social media at 3 PM that the parade would proceed from Vidhana Soudha to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium at 5pm. The franchise has faced criticism for continuing celebrations inside the stadium while the stampede occurred outside.

Who is Nikhil Sosale?

Security personnel try to manage the crowd of fans gathered for the felicitation of IPL 2025 winning Royal Challengers Bengaluru team in Bengaluru, Karnataka. (PTI)

Nikhil Sosale has been closely associated with RCB since its early years. According to his LinkedIn profile, he leads the design, strategy, and delivery of the business and marketing side of the leading brand and commercial program in the IPL. He holds a Double Major in Business from James Cook University, which he completed between 2008 and 2010.

Sosale has been a visible presence at RCB games throughout the 2025 season, often seen sitting with Virat Kohli's wife Anushka Sharma in the stands. He maintains a private Instagram profile with 637 followers, which both Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma follow.

He is married to Malvika Nayak, who heads the business development and partnerships department at Innoz Technologies Pvt.Ltd.

In response to the tragedy, RCB had announced financial aid for all 11 families who lost members in the stampede. The franchise has also established an 'RCB Cares' fund to support the individuals who were injured in the incident.



The Cubbon Park police registered a suo-motu case against the accused — (Accused No. 1) RCB franchise, (accused No. 2) DNA Entertainment, and (accused No. 3) KSCA administrative committee. FIR was booked under various sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including 105 (punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 115 (voluntarily causing hurt), 118 (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 190 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 132 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), and 125 (act endangering life or personal safety of others).


A second FIR was registered based on the complaint of Rolongumes, who was injured in the incident, under the BNS section 125 A (act endangering life or personal safety of others).