What is the Karnataka HC's Decision on RCB and DNA Staff's Arrest in the Stampede Case?

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What is the Karnataka HC's Decision on RCB and DNA Staff's Arrest in the Stampede Case?

Synopsis

The ongoing legal battle surrounding the tragic Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede continues, with the Karnataka High Court deliberating on the petitions from arrested RCB and DNA staffers. Their challenge to the police's actions raises significant questions about accountability and the circumstances leading to this heartbreaking incident.

Key Takeaways

  • Karnataka High Court has reserved judgment on RCB and DNA staff petitions.
  • 11 lives were lost in the Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede.
  • Petitioners argue arrests were unlawful and politically motivated.
  • State government maintains arrests followed legal protocols.
  • CID is handling the ongoing investigation.

Bengaluru, June 11 (NationPress) The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday has reserved its ruling on the petitions filed by four staff members of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and DNA Private Event Management firm, contesting the police's actions related to the June 4 stampede at Chinnaswamy Stadium, which resulted in 11 fatalities.

The petitions were submitted by Nikhil Sosale, the Marketing Head of RCB, along with Sunil Matthew, Kiran, and Sumanth from DNA, who are currently detained at the Bengaluru Central Prison.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID), overseeing the investigation, is pursuing their custody.

A bench led by Justice S.R. Krishna Kumar has reserved judgment and scheduled the next hearing for Thursday at 2:30 PM.

Counsel for the petitioners argued that the arrests were unlawful and executed under the direction of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. They contended that these detentions were a governmental ploy to deflect responsibility for the tragic incident.

In response, Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty, representing the state, contested that claims of arrests being made under the Chief Minister's orders were false, asserting that police adhered to established protocols.

The AG asserted that the petitioners had provided misleading information to the court and that they were given written reasons for their arrests. He urged the court to deny any interim relief or orders for their release.

He also noted that the RCB franchise is a highly lucrative, billion-dollar entity.

In response, the bench remarked that the company's wealth was irrelevant to the case at hand.

The AG further alleged that the accused attempted to flee to another state and had posted on social media to attract attendees to the event, hence contributing to the deaths of 11 individuals.

DNA Entertainment Networks Pvt Ltd, listed as an accused in the FIR by Karnataka police, has approached the High Court seeking to quash the FIR.

DNA argued that the celebration event at Chinnaswamy Stadium was orchestrated by the government and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), which had invited the public to the festivities.

Previously, RCB sought the High Court's intervention to quash the criminal case against them related to the stampede.

According to the petition, RCB engaged in extensive discussions with DNA Event Management and KSCA officials regarding the event's organization.

The petition emphasized that the police had given verbal approval for the victory parade and celebrations on June 4. RCB had communicated that entry to the stadium was solely through registration on their official website and the issuance of passes, aimed at managing the crowd within the stadium's capacity.

Point of View

It is crucial to ensure that both accountability and justice are upheld in light of the tragic events at Chinnaswamy Stadium. The legal proceedings must be transparent and fair, as they reflect the integrity of public safety measures during large events.
NationPress
16/06/2025

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current status of the Karnataka High Court's ruling?
The Karnataka High Court has reserved its judgment regarding the petitions filed by staffers of RCB and DNA Private Event Management.
How many lives were lost in the stampede at Chinnaswamy Stadium?
The stampede at Chinnaswamy Stadium resulted in the tragic loss of 11 lives.
Who are the petitioners challenging their arrest?
The petitioners include Nikhil Sosale, Sunil Matthew, Kiran, and Sumanth, who were arrested in connection with the stampede.
What are the main arguments presented by the petitioners?
The petitioners argue that their arrests were unlawful and conducted under government pressure to deflect blame for the incident.
What role does the CID play in this investigation?
The CID has taken over the investigation and is seeking custody of the arrested individuals.