What was the Karnataka Government's Response to the Chinnaswamy Stampede?

Bengaluru, July 17 (NationPress) The Congress-led Karnataka government has placed the blame on the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and other event organizers regarding the stampede incident that resulted in the loss of 11 lives on June 4. The government asserted that its response to the tragedy was both immediate and multifaceted.

In a report submitted to the Karnataka High Court addressing specific inquiries, the government stated, "In light of this grave incident, the state government's reaction was both immediate and multifaceted."

Following the tragic event on June 4, 2025, a Government Order was enacted to initiate a Magisterial Inquiry led by Jagadish G, the Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate of Bengaluru Urban District, with a strict 15-day deadline for completion, according to the report.

On the same morning of June 4, the government registered three FIRs against the implicated parties, namely RCB, KSCA, and DNA, transferring the case to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). This led to the arrest of four individuals as investigations progressed.

In a bid to ensure accountability, actions were taken against police officials starting June 5, 2025. A Government Order suspended five police officers, including three high-ranking IPS officers: the Commissioner of Police, the Inspector General, and the Additional Commissioner of Police, along with the Deputy Commissioner of Police, the Assistant Commissioner of Police for Cubbon Park, and the Police Inspector of Cubbon Park.

To facilitate a comprehensive and independent investigation, a One Man Commission of Inquiry was established on June 5, 2025, led by retired High Court Justice Michael Cunha, tasked with completing the investigation and submitting a detailed report within one month.

When addressing why the scheduled event was not canceled despite the stampede, the report highlighted: "Concerns arose that abruptly halting the victory celebrations at the stadium might provoke violence among the gathered crowd, thereby disrupting law and order across the city. Hence, the event commenced around 5:30 p.m., albeit with a curtailed duration."

Rather than complete cancellation, a strategic decision was made to allow the event to continue with reduced duration and increased monitoring. This approach considered the evolving situation, crowd dynamics, the considerable size of the gathering, and the lack of information among the attendees, as stated in the report.

The potential for widespread rioting both within the stadium and throughout Bengaluru necessitated this careful balancing act, prioritizing public safety over immediate cessation of the event.

It is widely recognized in law enforcement that canceling expected events can incite crowd unrest and lead to mob violence, as observed in previous incidents where such decisions were made.

Detailing actions taken prior to the incident, the government noted, "On June 3, the Commissioner of Police convened a meeting with all DCPs from Law and Order and Traffic Divisions, where necessary instructions were provided for appropriate security measures for the upcoming events on the night of June 3, following the final match results."

On June 3, RCB clinched victory in the IPL finals, prompting city-wide celebrations starting around 11:30 p.m. and continuing until 5 a.m. on June 4.

These impromptu celebrations were widespread across the city at major junctions, roads, and commercial areas such as MG Road, Indiranagar, Koramangala, and Govindaraj Nagar, as per the report.

Security arrangements and law enforcement measures were mobilized, deploying all DCPs from Law and Order and Traffic Divisions, who managed the ACPs and PIs in their jurisdictions under the overall oversight of the Commissioner of Police.

Approximately 607 officers and 2,430 Head Constables/Police Constables were on duty, ensuring that celebrations were monitored effectively to prevent any untoward incidents during the night of June 3 into June 4.

The entire Bengaluru city police force was deployed as part of pre-planned security protocols in anticipation of public reactions, regardless of the match outcome.

The report concludes by stating that this status report is based on currently available information and will be updated as more material emerges during the ongoing investigation.