RCB marketing head Nikhil Sosale has close ties with Virat Kohli; Arrested in Bengaluru stampede case

In a significant development following the tragic stampede during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) IPL 2025 victory celebrations, Nikhil Sosale, the team's Head of Marketing and Revenue, has been arrested. The incident, which occurred on June 4, 2025, outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, resulted in 11 fatalities and over 50 injuries.

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Sosale, who has been with RCB since 2012, is known for his close associations with players and their families. He has been seen attending events with Virat Kohli and his wife, Anushka Sharma, and is reportedly a close friend of the couple. His role in organizing the victory parade, which lacked adequate crowd control measures, has come under scrutiny.

The police arrested Sosale at Kempegowda International Airport while he was attempting to travel to Mumbai. He was remanded to 14-day judicial custody along with three executives from DNA Entertainment Networks. The arrests followed a directive from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who cited "irresponsibility" and "carelessness" by the organizers.

Sosale has challenged his arrest, alleging that it was arbitrary and based on instructions from the Chief Minister. He has approached the Karnataka High Court, seeking relief and claiming that his constitutional rights were violated.