Who is Accountable for the Chinnaswamy Stampede that Claimed 11 Lives?
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Synopsis
A complaint filed against government officials for the deadly Chinnaswamy stampede raises questions of accountability and negligence. The tragic event during the IPL celebration claimed 11 lives, with accusations pointing towards Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar's involvement in orchestrating the event. Will justice be served for the victims and their families?
Key Takeaways
- 11 lives lost in the Chinnaswamy stampede.
- Complaint filed against key government officials.
- Allegations of negligence and conspiracy.
- Demand for justice and accountability.
- Failure in crowd management during a major event.
Bengaluru, June 19 (NationPress) A formal complaint has been registered at the Cubbon Park police station concerning the tragic stampede on June 4 near the Chinnaswamy Stadium, which resulted in 11 fatalities. This unfortunate event occurred during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's inaugural IPL trophy celebration.
The main accused identified in the complaint is Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
Social activist T.J. Abraham has filed the complaint, naming Chief Minister Siddaramaiah as the 13th accused and Home Minister Parameshwara as the 14th.
Other notable individuals listed as accused include Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, DPAR Secretary Satyavathi, CEO of the Karnataka State Cricket Association Subendhu Ghosh, Senior Director of Royal Challengers Sports Pvt Ltd Menon Vijayan Rajesh, and Managing Director of DNA Entertainment Networks Pvt Ltd Thimmaiah Venkata Vardhana.
Additionally, former Bengaluru Police Commissioner B. Dayananda and various senior officials are also named.
In his complaint, Abraham urged law enforcement to file an FIR against the accused for causing death through negligence, constituting culpable homicide, and for their involvement in an active conspiracy leading to the devastating stampede.
Speaking to the media in Bengaluru on Thursday, Abraham emphasized: “My complaint addresses the loss of 11 lives in the stampede. Their deaths were not merely accidental; they resulted from a deliberate and orchestrated stampede. The primary accused is Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
Holding a poster featuring Shivakumar alongside the RCB logo, Abraham questioned: “What is the RCB logo doing on his poster? Is he a brand ambassador? Reports suggest he was in negotiations to acquire the RCB team for Rs 8,600 crore, but the deal fell through as RCB management demanded Rs 17,000 crore.
Abraham also mentioned that on June 3, prior to the final IPL match, a letter was sent to the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Cubbon Park division, notifying them of the upcoming celebrations, clarifying that it was not a request for permission.
On the day of the event, Shivakumar made a media statement from the court premises declaring he was heading to HAL airport to welcome the RCB players. Abraham questioned: “Who is Shivakumar? What link does a state’s Deputy Chief Minister have with cricket players?”
He elaborated: “DNA had arranged a victory parade within a 2.5-km radius. Had an open parade been conducted, attendees would have simply watched and returned home. Instead, the tragedy unfolded because the event was confined to one location.
“The franchise RCB and event management company DNA were allegedly instructed by the primary accused, Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar – who was already in talks to purchase the RCB franchise – to cancel the 2.5-km victory parade and instead gather everyone at the stadium,” Abraham claimed.
“What replaced the grand open bus victory parade were two felicitation events – one on the grand steps of Vidhana Soudha and another at Chinnaswamy Stadium, both personally orchestrated by Shivakumar,” he continued.
Abraham queried: “What if the event had been postponed by two days? Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh granted her approval on June 3, after which DPAR Secretary Satyavati sent a letter to DCP Karibasangouda that evening. Was permission secured from the Fire Force, PWD, and police?”
He reflected, “Initially, seven individuals perished in the stampede. At that moment, everyone was smiling and mingling. Our legal efforts will persist. This matter will proceed to court, and we will see how it unfolds there.
“I remain in constant communication with other agencies. If police officers assert they lack information, I will investigate independently. Justice will be served in this state and country, and I am committed to ensuring the law is upheld,” Abraham concluded.
Point of View
We stand firm in advocating for the victims and their families affected by the Chinnaswamy stampede. Accountability is paramount, and we urge thorough investigations to ensure that those responsible are held liable. Justice must prevail in an incident that could have been prevented.
NationPress
19/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the Chinnaswamy stampede?
The Chinnaswamy stampede was reportedly caused by a lack of proper crowd management during the IPL celebration, leading to chaos and tragic outcomes.
How many lives were lost in the stampede?
The stampede resulted in 11 fatalities during the celebration.
Who is being accused in the complaint?
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and several other officials are named in the complaint.
What actions are being taken in response to the incident?
Activist T.J. Abraham has filed a complaint urging police to register an FIR against the accused for negligence and conspiracy.
What was the planned event that led to the stampede?
A victory parade was initially planned, but it was canceled and replaced with events at the stadium, contributing to the overcrowding and subsequent tragedy.
