RCB, KSCA, and Event Organizer Booked for Culpable Homicide After Fatal Bengaluru Parade Stampede
Tragedy Strikes Amid Celebrations
What was meant to be a moment of triumph for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) after their historic IPL title win turned into a disaster. A massive crowd surge outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru led to a deadly stampede on Wednesday, claiming 11 lives and injuring at least 64 others. The chaos unfolded during a victory celebration that went ahead despite being denied official permission, according to an FIR filed by the Cubbon Park police.
c for Serious Offences
A suo motu FIR has been registered against RCB, Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), and DNA Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., holding them accountable for the deadly mishap. Charges under several serious provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) have been invoked, including:
- Section 105 – Culpable homicide
- Section 115(2) – Voluntarily causing hurt
- Section 118(1) & (2) – Causing hurt or grievous hurt using dangerous means
- Section 3(5) – Joint liability
- Section 190 – Unlawful assembly
- Section 132 – Obstructing public servants in duty
- Section 125(a) & (b) – Acts endangering life or resulting in injury
Permission Denied, Yet Event Went Ahead
The complaint by Cubbon Park police inspector Girish A K revealed that KSCA had officially been denied permission to host the celebrations at the stadium, citing risks of massive crowds and inadequate preparation time for crowd control and traffic management. Nevertheless, KSCA, RCB, and DNA Entertainment reportedly went ahead with the event on Wednesday, despite the lack of official approval.
Celebratory activities took place across prominent city locations including MG Road, Church Street, and UB City, drawing lakhs of fans. Additional police units were deployed citywide, and a felicitation event was also conducted at the Vidhana Soudha, which had its own separate security detail.
RCB Social Media Announcements Triggered Crowd Surge
According to the FIR, announcements made on RCB’s social media platforms about free pass distribution at the stadium gates significantly contributed to the surge in crowd numbers. With no clear plan on crowd admission, and a seating capacity limited to 30,000–35,000, the situation spiraled out of control. Between gates 2, 2A, 6, 7, 15, 17, 18, 20, and 21, stampedes broke out as the gathering swelled far beyond manageable numbers.
Police Response and Aftermath
By late afternoon, as crowd pressure intensified, authorities opened several gates to ease congestion, but this move led to the fatal stampede. Police, along with volunteers, worked to transport the injured to hospitals and manage the crowds. Though the official program at 5:45 PM eventually proceeded, the damage had already been done.
The police allege that failure to coordinate entry protocols, ignoring warnings, and indecisiveness on part of the organizers were critical lapses that directly contributed to the tragedy.
