New Delhi: In the aftermath of the stampede incident outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), and event management company DNA Network, citing negligence.
The Cubbon Park Police initiated a suo motu case against the three bodies, invoking serious sections of the BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita), 105 (Culpable Homicide not amounting to murder), 118 (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), and 120 (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt to extort confession, or to compel restoration of property).
Concurrently, a magisterial probe into the incident is underway, led by Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate, G Jagadeesha. Appointed by the Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka government as the enquiry officer, Jagadeesha confirmed that notices would be sent to RCB, KSCA, the Directorate of Public Assurance and Regulation (DPAR), and Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL). The objective of these notices is to gather detailed information and ascertain the precise roles of various agencies involved in the planning, organisation, and security arrangements for the ill-fated event.
Furthering the investigative efforts, the state government is reportedly considering transferring the entire probe to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for a more comprehensive inquiry.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the stampede. Expressing grave concerns over public safety and crowd management protocols at large-scale events, the High Court issued a notice to the state government, demanding a detailed status report on the incident by Tuesday.
During the hearing, the Karnataka government informed the court that over 1,000 police personnel, including the City Police Commissioner, Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs), and Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs), had been deployed at the venue. The High Court profoundly observed, “The intent to celebrate has led to a tragedy. We take suo motu cognisance of the incident to determine the causes, whether it could have been prevented, and the measures needed to avoid such events in the future.”
This comes after a celebratory event outside Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium tragically turned into a disaster on Wednesday evening, as a stampede claimed the lives of at least 11 individuals and left 47 others injured. The overwhelming surge of a massive crowd through just two entry gates, intended for an IPL victory celebration involving Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), led to the devastating incident.
