Bengaluru Stampede: 4 Held, Top Cops Suspended After RCB Parade Tragedy

The Bengaluru police on Thursday arrested four individuals linked to the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), DNA Entertainment Networks, and RCB in connection with the Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede case that claimed 11 lives during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) IPL victory celebration. While the exact identities and roles of the accused have not been disclosed, officials confirmed their involvement in organising the ill-fated event.

The arrests come amid mounting outrage and a widening probe into the June 4 tragedy, which also left over 30 people injured. The incident occurred when a temporary slab near Gate 4 collapsed under pressure from the surging crowd, leading to panic and a deadly stampede. The stadium, with a seating capacity of 35,000, was overwhelmed by fans eager to celebrate RCB’s maiden IPL title win.

Taking serious note of the incident, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has ordered the suspension of several top police officers, including Bengaluru Police Commissioner B. Dayananda, Additional Commissioner (West) Vikash Kumar Vikash, Central DCP Shekhar H. Tekkannavar, and senior officials from the Cubbon Park Police Station. The CM also announced a judicial probe, appointing retired Karnataka High Court judge Justice Michael D’Cunha to head a one-man commission of inquiry.

“This tragedy was completely avoidable. There was clear negligence and lack of planning. We underestimated the crowd,” said Siddaramaiah, who held the organisers and police equally accountable. He also directed the arrest of representatives from RCB, KSCA, and DNA Networks, citing prima facie evidence of culpable homicide and criminal negligence.

The Karnataka government has transferred the case to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct an independent probe. The Karnataka High Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the incident and sought a detailed status report on the crowd control mechanisms in place.

Meanwhile, RCB has announced an ex-gratia of ₹10 lakh to the families of the deceased and launched an initiative called “RCB Cares” to support those injured. The state government has also pledged ₹10 lakh in compensation for each deceased victim’s family.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the incident “absolutely heartrending,” while former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty also extended their sympathies. In light of the incident, the Karnataka government is drafting a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for managing large public gatherings to prevent such disasters in the future.​