Karnataka government blames RCB, BCCI for deadly stampede at Chinnaswamy stadium

The Karnataka government on Wednesday held Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) responsible for the stampede outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium that killed 11 people. During a High Court hearing, the state argued that RCB failed to seek official permission for a victory event and instead encouraged mass attendance through social media, leading to chaos and tragedy.

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The case stems from petitions challenging the arrests of four individuals, including RCB’s marketing head. A single-judge bench led by Justice SR Krishna Kumar is hearing the matter.

State Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty submitted that RCB and BCCI had an agreement assigning them responsibility for security, ticketing, and gate management. He alleged that social media posts invited thousands without providing details on ticketing or crowd control, despite the stadium’s limited capacity of 33,000. As a result, nearly four lakh people reportedly gathered.

The government stated that no formal permissions were obtained, only an intimation from the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), violating legal norms that require event licences at least a week in advance. Entertainment programs were also held without approval.

Authorities allege that the organisers misrepresented the nature of the event as a government function and failed to implement safety measures like signage and barriers. A magisterial and judicial probe has been initiated, and the case has been transferred to the CID, with several police officials suspended.