Did the RCB Management Obtain Necessary Permissions for the Chinnaswamy Stadium Celebration?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- At least 11 fatalities occurred during the stampede at Chinnaswamy Stadium.
- The FIR attributes blame to RCB management, DNA, and KSCA for inadequate planning.
- Law enforcement had deployed personnel but could not prevent the chaos.
- The Karnataka High Court is involved in the investigation.
- Political scrutiny is rising, with calls for accountability.
Bengaluru, June 5 (NationPress) The FIR filed by the Karnataka Police concerning the tragic stampede on June 4 near Chinnaswamy Stadium, which tragically claimed the lives of at least 11 individuals, holds the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise, the DNA event management company, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Administrative Committee responsible for conducting the victory celebration without securing the required permissions.
The FIR, lodged by the Cubbon Park police, emphasized that the police had implemented all possible precautionary measures, thereby averting a potentially larger disaster.
Charges under various sections have been leveled, including Sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), and 190 (unlawful assembly), among others, in the FIR.
According to the complaint filed by Police Inspector Girish A. K. from the Cubbon Park police station, “This incident occurred due to the lack of appropriate arrangements for fan entry into the stadium. The announcement by RCB on their official website regarding the distribution of free passes at the gates led to a massive crowd gathering. Despite police deploying sufficient personnel and executing all necessary security measures, a larger tragedy was narrowly avoided,” the FIR noted.
Moreover, the FIR indicates that RCB, KSCA, and DNA managements contributed to the confusion regarding passes and free entry that caused chaos among the crowds outside the stadium, leading to the tragic stampede at several gates, resulting in the loss of 11 lives due to suffocation.
In total, 64 individuals sustained injuries and required medical attention, with numerous police officers also affected. The FIR highlighted the mismanagement by the accused, which led fans to attempt to breach police barricades in a desperate bid to enter the stadium.
Furthermore, the FIR stated that fans ignored loudspeaker instructions, resulting in the tragic outcomes. It urges action against those responsible.
The complainant, a Police Inspector at the Cubbon Park police station, noted that following RCB's victory on June 3, fans gathered in large numbers to celebrate.
All Cubbon Park Sub-Division officers were on duty until 5:30 AM on June 4. The FIR details that at 6 PM on June 3, Shubendu Ghosh, the CEO of KSCA, approached the Police Inspector for security arrangements for the victory celebration, which was denied due to the anticipated fan turnout.
Despite the denial, pressure from RCB, DNA, and KSCA persisted for the event to take place on June 4. Consequently, senior officers prepared security measures and sought permission from the Bengaluru Police Commissioner.
Law enforcement personnel were mobilized from across the city, and security was arranged at various key locations, including the HAL airport, where RCB players arrived, and at the hotel where they stayed, with dedicated escorts for the players.
As the clock struck 5 PM on June 4, a massive influx of fans gathered at Chinnaswamy Stadium, but RCB, DNA, and KSCA failed to manage entry effectively. The resulting chaos led to a stampede as gates opened amidst the crowd surge. Police and KSCA staff worked tirelessly to manage the situation and transport victims to hospitals.
The unfortunate incident resulted in 11 fatalities and numerous injuries. Thanks to police efforts, the crowd was eventually controlled, allowing the celebration to proceed without further incident. All players and VIPs were secured during the event, the FIR reported.
The FIR's development comes amid political scrutiny, with concerns raised about the government's initial response to the incident, which was categorized as an Unnatural Death Report (UDR) rather than an FIR.
The Karnataka BJP has since called for a judicial inquiry into the incident, while the Karnataka High Court has requested a report from the state government regarding the stampede, questioning adherence to safety protocols.
Currently, the police have indicated that more individuals may be implicated in the ongoing investigation.