Did the Karnataka High Court demand a report on the stadium stampede?
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Synopsis
In a recent turn of events, the Karnataka High Court has demanded a detailed report from the state government on a tragic stampede that occurred near Chinnaswamy Stadium, resulting in the deaths of 11. The court raised critical questions about standard operating procedures and crowd management. This incident has sparked outrage and calls for accountability.
Key Takeaways
- Karnataka High Court demands a report on the stampede.
- 11 lives lost in the tragic incident.
- Questions raised about SOPs during event management.
- Magisterial probe ordered by the state government.
- Compensation of Rs 10 lakh announced for victims' families.
Bengaluru, June 5 (NationPress) The Karnataka High Court has requested a report from the Congress-led Karnataka government regarding the lapses and other specifics of the stampede incident that occurred near the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, leading to the tragic loss of at least 11 lives.
In light of the stampede, the high court initiated a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) and demanded a detailed report from the state administration.
A division bench, led by acting Chief Justice V. Kameshwar Rao, expressed its concern over the unfortunate event and inquired if the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were adhered to, as well as whether appropriate guidelines were established to manage the situation during the celebrations at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
The court also requested information on the total number of gates at the Chinnaswamy Stadium and how many were actually opened to allow fans entry during the festivities. Additionally, the bench raised concerns about the absence of medical facilities on-site and the lack of ambulances to assist those who fell ill.
It was questioned if all fatalities occurred at the stadium gates.
The acting Chief Justice instructed the government to present a thorough status report regarding the incident and postponed the hearing to June 10.
Advocate General Shashikiran Shetty, representing the government, provided details about the incident, noting that while the Chinnaswamy Stadium has a seating capacity of 35,000, approximately 250,000 individuals had gathered for the event. He mentioned that typically, 700 police personnel are assigned to oversee crowds during cricket matches; however, for this celebration, the police department had deployed 1,600 officers to manage the audience.
People from various parts of the state, as well as Tamil Nadu, attended the event, contributing to the unfortunate incident, he added. He also stated that there are 21 gates at the Chinnaswamy Stadium and, according to government reports, all gates were open.
The bench reviewed media coverage regarding the occurrence and probed the government about the existing lapses and the sequence of events. The court noted that 75 individuals sustained injuries during the stampede and requested precise information on the deceased, including details about where exactly they perished within the stadium.
The court also inquired about the steps the government plans to take to avert such occurrences in the future.
Senior attorney G.R. Mohan indicated that only three gates were actually open during the celebratory event at the stadium. Senior counsel Hemanth Raj contended that the state government had no need to honor the RCB players since they hadn't represented the country. He mentioned that allowing two programs on the same day led to the disaster.
In the meantime, the Karnataka Police have filed Unnatural Death Cases (UDR) related to the incident that caused the deaths of 11 individuals during the stampede. The Cubbon Park police have lodged 11 UDR cases, and so far, no FIR has been filed concerning the matter, according to sources.
This action has sparked public outrage, as the police had the option to charge the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and the event management company. Sources have confirmed that no one has yet stepped forward to accept responsibility. The UDR cases were initiated following directives from senior officials, sources indicated.
Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje has reached out to the acting Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court with an urgent appeal for suo moto intervention and a judicial inquiry into the stampede.
Social activist Snehamayi Krishna lodged a complaint with the Cubbon Park police on Thursday against CM Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, officials of the KSCA, and others. In his complaint, Krishna urged the police to file charges under Section 106 of the BNS Act.
A copy of the complaint has also been submitted to the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court, along with a petition requesting action against those responsible, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
The state government has declared a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the families of the deceased and has ordered a magisterial probe.
Point of View
It is critical to acknowledge the seriousness of the recent stampede at Chinnaswamy Stadium. The Karnataka High Court's call for a report signifies the need for accountability and immediate action to prevent such disasters in the future. Our focus should remain on ensuring public safety and transparency from authorities.
NationPress
25/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered the stampede at Chinnaswamy Stadium?
The stampede occurred during a crowd event at Chinnaswamy Stadium, which saw an overwhelming attendance far exceeding its capacity.
How many people were affected by the stampede?
The incident resulted in the deaths of 11 individuals and injuries to 75 others.
What actions are being taken by the Karnataka government?
The Karnataka government has announced compensation for the families of the deceased and ordered a magisterial probe into the incident.
Were there any safety protocols in place?
The Karnataka High Court is questioning whether the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were followed during the event.
What was the response from the Karnataka High Court?
The Karnataka High Court has initiated a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to investigate the incident and demanded a comprehensive report from the government.
