What Did the Karnataka HC Decide on the RCB and DNA Staff in the Stampede Case?

Bengaluru, June 12 (NationPress) The Karnataka High Court has granted interim release to the Marketing Head of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Nikhil Sosale, along with three other staff members from DNA Entertainment Networks Private Ltd, in connection with the stampede that occurred on June 4 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, resulting in 11 fatalities.

The individuals associated with DNA Entertainment Networks are Sunil Mathew, S. Kiran Kumar, and N.P. Shamant Mavinakere.

A bench led by Justice S.R. Krishna Kumar approved their appeals against the arrests but mandated the surrender of their passports.

The four had been detained concerning the stampede incident and are currently held at the Bengaluru Central Prison.

On Wednesday, the High Court reserved its decision regarding the petitions.

The CID, which is overseeing the investigation, had requested their custody.

Lawyers representing the petitioners argued that their arrests were unlawful and executed under directives from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. They contended that these arrests were an attempt by the government to evade responsibility for the tragic stampede.

Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty, speaking on behalf of the state, refuted the claims that the arrests were made following the Chief Minister's orders. He referenced previous Supreme Court rulings and affirmed that standard procedures were adhered to by the police during the arrests.

The AG further contended that the petitioners had misled the court and that the detained individuals received written explanations for their arrests. He urged the court to deny any interim relief or release orders.

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

The bench intervened, pointing out that the financial status of the company is irrelevant to the case.

The AG alleged that the accused were apprehended while attempting to flee to another state and accused them of using social media to incite attendance at the event, leading to the deaths of 11 individuals.

DNA Entertainment Networks Pvt Ltd, identified as a defendant in the FIR by the Karnataka police regarding the stampede, sought the quashing of the FIR against it in the High Court on Monday.

DNA asserted that the event at the Chinnaswamy Stadium was organized by the government alongside the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), which had invited the public to partake in the celebration.

Previously, the RCB franchise had approached the High Court requesting the dismissal of the criminal case against them related to the stampede.

Detailing RCB's event preparations, the petition indicated that extensive discussions occurred with the DNA Event Management and KSCA officials.

The petition further emphasized that the police verbally confirmed the victory parade and celebrations scheduled for June 4, asserting that entry to the stadium was strictly based on registration through the official website and issuance of passes to control the crowd within the stadium's limited capacity.