What Happened at Chinnaswamy Stadium? Four RCB and DNA Officials Arrested by Bengaluru Police

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Tragic stampede resulted in 11 deaths.
- Four officials arrested, including key marketing personnel.
- Investigation ongoing by Bengaluru Police.
- Accountability and safety measures are under scrutiny.
- Community and authorities need to prioritize safety in future events.
New Delhi, June 6 (NationPress) Following the tragic incident that claimed the lives of 11 individuals during a stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium amid the IPL 2025 victory festivities for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on June 4, the Bengaluru Police have taken into custody four officials, among them the franchise's marketing head.
The authorities apprehended Nikhil Sosale, RCB’s Marketing and Revenue head, while he was preparing to board a flight to Mumbai from Kempegowda International Airport. Also arrested were Kiran Kumar (Senior Event Manager) and Sunil Mathew (Vice President - Business Affairs), both affiliated with DNA Entertainment Network, the firm responsible for organizing the victory celebrations.
Sosale has held the position of marketing and revenue head at RCB for over two years. Besides his IPL responsibilities, he oversees the brand and business initiatives for RCB in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). He previously worked with Diageo India, the operator of United Spirits Limited (USL), which took ownership of RCB after the exit of Vijay Mallya.
A graduate of James Cook University in Queensland, Australia, Sosale’s role in RCB’s marketing and business strategy likely involved significant responsibilities in organizing the bus parade and stadium celebrations, as well as negotiating with local police and government entities.
Sosale is frequently seen on television during RCB matches and has appeared in numerous franchise-related social media posts. Kiran, serving as the Senior Event Manager at DNA Entertainment Networks Pvt Ltd., has been with the company since June 2012.
Sunil holds the position of Vice President of Business Affairs at DNA, where he has been employed since June 2000. Another arrested DNA official, Sumanth, is responsible for ticketing operations for the events organized by the company.
In addition to the four arrested, the police are seeking to question A Shankar, Secretary of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), and Jayaram, Treasurer, along with other RCB and DNA officials who were involved in the decision-making that turned a festive occasion into a tragic event.