What Did the Panel Report on the K'taka Stampede Case?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The one-man Commission is led by retired Justice Michael D'Cunha.
- The report addresses the tragic stampede that resulted in 11 deaths.
- Chief Minister Siddaramaiah emphasized the need for a thorough review.
- Multiple investigations are being conducted by the state government.
- The findings will be discussed in the Cabinet meeting on July 17.
Bengaluru, July 11 (NationPress) The one-man Commission, led by retired Justice Michael D'Cunha and appointed by the Congress-led government, has submitted its report in two volumes regarding the tragic stampede that occurred on June 4 at Chinnaswamy Stadium, which resulted in the loss of 11 lives. This report was handed over to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday.
Justice D'Cunha presented the report to CM Siddaramaiah, accompanied by the Chief Minister's Legal Advisor and MLA A.S. Ponnanna, Karnataka Chief Secretary Shalini Rajaneesh, and other officials at the Vidhana Soudha.
The specifics of the report have not yet been disclosed to the public.
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah remarked, "The one-man Commission, led by retired Justice Michael D'Cunha and tasked with investigating the stampede that took 11 lives, has submitted its findings in two volumes."
"I have yet to read it in full. It will be presented at the next Cabinet meeting on July 17, where we will analyze the findings and recommendations," he stated.
When questioned about the report's contents, the Chief Minister confirmed that it consists of two volumes and that he has not had the opportunity to review it.
He stressed the importance of discussing and debating the findings before any conclusions are drawn.
"I haven't gone through the report yet, and it must be deliberated in the Cabinet. Media outlets should refrain from disseminating inaccurate information beforehand," he added.
The state government formed the one-man Commission under retired Justice Michael D'Cunha on June 5, 2025, to investigate the deaths and injuries resulting from the stampede during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) victory celebration. On June 7, the Karnataka government extended the Commission's term to further facilitate the investigation into the Chinnaswamy stampede incident.
The Congress-led government has initiated a comprehensive investigation into the tragedy.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has ordered a three-pronged investigation, which includes a magisterial probe led by the Deputy Commissioner of Bengaluru City, a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) investigation, and a judicial probe conducted by the Commission led by John Michael D'Cunha.
Union Minister for Large and Heavy Industries H.D. Kumaraswamy has raised concerns regarding the state government's multiple investigations.
"The government appears to want to demonstrate that it is taking action regarding the incident before the High Court addresses the PIL. Initially, a magisterial probe was ordered, followed by the appointment of a commission headed by a retired High Court Judge, and the case was also handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Which report will you accept?" Kumaraswamy questioned.
In line with the state government's directive, the Karnataka Police reported in the FIR related to the stampede that the implicated parties — RCB franchise, event management firm DNA, and the KSCA Administrative Committee — organized the victory celebration without obtaining the necessary permissions.
RCB, DNA, and KSCA have contested the state's allegations in court, asserting that they are being unfairly blamed for the stampede.
The Justice D'Cunha Commission is also probing the Covid-19 scam and the fatalities of patients due to the lack of oxygen at the Chamarajanagar district hospital, with an obligation to submit its report within a specified timeframe.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also tasked the D'Cunha Commission with investigating the stampede case on June 5.
Given the urgency of this matter, the Commission has been instructed to finalize its inquiry and submit its report to the state government within a month, as stated in the notification.
Furthermore, it clarifies, "Since the Commission must prioritize the stampede incident and submit the report within one month after completing the probe, its term has been extended from August 1 to 31, 2025."