Karnataka cabinet approves judicial report on Chinnaswamy stadium stampede; RCB, KSCA, police held liable

The Karnataka cabinet has officially accepted the findings of the Justice John Michael D’Cunha judicial commission, which investigated the tragic June 4 stampede near Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The approval paves the way for legal and departmental action against multiple entities, including IPL team Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), DNA Entertainment Networks, and senior Bengaluru Police officials.

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The stampede, which occurred around 3:25 PM during a felicitation event for RCB's IPL triumph, claimed 11 lives and injured over 50 people. Despite knowing the risks posed by an uncontrolled crowd, all stakeholders reportedly proceeded with the event. The chaos was exacerbated by a concurrent state government function at the nearby Vidhana Soudha, less than a kilometre away.

The one-man commission, constituted after the Karnataka High Court took suo motu cognisance, found serious lapses in planning, coordination, and emergency preparedness. The report stated that only 79 police officers were posted inside the stadium with none stationed outside. Shockingly, no ambulances were present on-site, and senior police officials reacted too late — with the Joint Commissioner arriving nearly 30 minutes after the stampede and the Police Commissioner being informed two hours later.

The findings were based on multiple site inspections, hearings, and testimonies from eyewitnesses, government officials, and police personnel. The report accused the organisers and authorities of "gross negligence and dereliction of duty."

With the cabinet’s approval, disciplinary and legal proceedings will move forward. Earlier, five police officers, including Bengaluru’s former Police Commissioner and two IPS officers, were suspended. FIRs had also been registered against event organisers for negligence and culpable homicide.