Karnataka government blames RCB and Virat Kohli for Bengaluru stampede, -‘Lack of planning, no safety arrangements’

The Karnataka government, in its status report presented to the High Court on Thursday, July 17, cited major breaches and mismanagement by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) that resulted in a stampede at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during their IPL 2025 victory party. The sad catastrophe killed 11 people and injured more than 50.

According to the report, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), on behalf of DNA Networks Pvt Ltd, notified the Cubbon Park Police at around 6:30 PM, barely hours before the IPL final between RCB and Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Ahmedabad.

“If RCB wins the tournament, the management of RCB/DNA Entertainment Networks Private Limited intends to organise potential victory parades around the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, culminating in victory celebrations at the stadium.” This was an intimation rather than a requisition for approval as needed by law,” according to the investigation, as published by The Telegraph.

The Bengaluru police denied authorisation for the event due to a lack of crucial information, such as the expected crowd size, event logistics, and crowd control procedures. The plan was likewise submitted at short notice. Despite the denial, RCB continued to promote the event, distributing invitations on social media, including a video appeal from Virat Kohli for supporters to attend the free-entry celebration on June 4.

“Subsequently, on 04.06.2025, at 8:55 am, the RCB shared a video clip of Virat Kohli, a prominent player of the RCB team, on RCB’s official handle @ Rcbtweets on X, in which he stated that the team intended to celebrate this victory with the people of Bengaluru city and RCB fans on 04.06.2025 in Bengaluru,” according to the report.

The message was the first to suggest that free passes were available online, but it was published after massive crowds had already begun to form. The video had a large number of views, with estimates of 16 lakh, 4.26 lakh, 7.6 lakh, and 17 lakh across various platforms.

“Therefore, including those who travelled on foot, used public transport, and private means on June 4, the estimated gathering would be well beyond three lakh individuals,” according to the announcement.

The investigation also stated that the organisers did not seek police approval in the correct format, as required under the Licensing and Controlling of Assemblies and Processions (Bangalore City) Order, 2009.

Meanwhile, Aravind Bellad, a BJP MLA and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, accused the government of attempting to claim credit for RCB’s IPL victory after 18 years, but then shifting blame to the franchise and Kohli following the stampede tragedy.

“It’s not only RCB that invited people, a huge number of people came on the invitation of the Congress, DK Shivakumar and government officials, the DPAR secretary came on TV and invited people, the government is solely responsible for this,” said Bellad.

“If the report states that the RCB is solely responsible, why did the government suspend police officers?” The Chief Minister should apologise to the former Police Commissioner. If the RCB had given notice that the event would take place, the government should have declined authorisation. They had every right to decide that this event could not be held. To claim credit for their win, the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister invited people.

“To now blame a great player like Virat Kohli or RCB is incorrect,” the BJP leader remarked.

The study also detailed why the state government decided not to cancel the victory parade after the rush. It added that abruptly stopping the celebrations in the stadium could have caused unrest and jeopardised law and order throughout the city.

“might potentially provoke violence among the assembled throng and have a negative impact on overall law and order throughout the city…a measured response was taken by shortening the time of the function. Instead of complete cessation, a cautious approach was taken, allowing the event to continue with drastically reduced length and more monitoring, according to the report.

The audit stated that RCB, DNA Networks, and the KSCA violated conventional procedures and safety measures, posing significant public safety hazards. In response to the occurrence, the Karnataka government dismissed senior police officers at Cubbon Park Police Station on June 5 and formed a one-man committee led by a former High Court judge to look into the disaster.