Is RCB Being Unfairly Blamed for the Stampede?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- RCB challenges CAT's remarks.
- Stampede resulted in 11 fatalities.
- Claims of unfair blame without RCB's input.
- Upcoming hearing on July 17.
- Legal implications for social media use.
Bengaluru, July 9 (NationPress) The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has taken legal action against the Karnataka High Court, contesting the comments made by the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), which implicated the cricket franchise in attracting large crowds that allegedly contributed to the tragic stampede on June 4, resulting in the deaths of 11 individuals.
The Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited (RCSPL), the organization behind RCB, submitted the petition on Wednesday.
The CAT made these remarks while overturning the suspension of senior IPS officer Vikash Kumar Vikash, imposed by the Karnataka government in relation to the stampede incident.
The petition asserts that the CAT's statements contradict principles of natural justice and emphasizes that RCB was not involved in the proceedings yet faced unwarranted scrutiny.
Additionally, it argues that the CAT exceeded its authority by assigning blame without considering RCB's perspective.
The petition further claims that the CAT's remarks are both factually and legally flawed, issued prior to the completion of investigations by multiple agencies, including a magisterial inquiry into the stampede.
The Bengaluru bench of the CAT had annulled the suspension of Inspector General of Police-rank officer Vikash Kumar Vikash, tied to the June 4 stampede at a cricket stadium, which led to the untimely deaths of 11 RCB fans who had gathered to celebrate the team’s IPL victory on July 1.
The tribunal, consisting of Justice B. K. Shrivastava and Santhosh Mehra, expressed that RCB had made social media posts without the requisite approval from local police authorities.
The bench highlighted that the first of these posts garnered 1.6 million views, the second 426,000 views, the third 760,000 views, and the fourth reached 1.7 million views.
Thus, it seems that RCB's actions might have contributed to a crowd of approximately 300,000 to 500,000 people.
The bench noted, “RCB did not secure the necessary permissions or consent from the police,” during their deliberations.
Meanwhile, the bench has postponed the hearing regarding the Karnataka government's appeal against the CAT's decision to July 17.