An FIR filed by the Bengaluru police names Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as the prime accused in the June 4 stampede that left 11 people dead and many injured during a celebratory event at M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Co-organisers DNA Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) were named as second and third accused.
WHAT FIR SAYS ABOUT CROWD SURGE
As per details of the FIR accessed by India Today, crowds began gathering on June 3, the day RCB won the final, near East Chinnaswamy Stand, MG Road, and Vittal Mallya Road to celebrate the victory.
A high-level coordination meeting was held with senior police officials, including the Additional Commissioner of Police (ACP), Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP Traffic), and other relevant officials. Guidelines were issued regarding traffic, public safety, and crowd control, the FIR stated.
The next day, despite police coordination and planning, the turnout for the felicitation event swelled beyond control as fans surged toward the stadium between 4 pm and 5.30 pm.
POOR PLANNING, MISMANAGEMENT ALLEGED
The police report alleges that organisers failed to set up adequate barricades or crowd-control measures, both inside and outside the stadium. This led to a stampede-like situation at multiple gates.
DEATHS AND INJURIES
The FIR confirms that 11 people died in the chaos and 64 others, including police personnel, were injured. It blames the organisers for negligence, despite prior warnings from the police about crowd control risks.
FIR FILED BY POLICE INSPECTOR
The complaint was filed by Girish AK, an inspector from the Cubbon Park Police Station. He submitted the report on June 5 at 11.15 am, stating that the organisers’ actions violated public safety protocols and resulted in serious consequences.
MULTIPLE CHARGES IN FIR
The FIR lists sections of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), Section 125 (acts that endanger human life or personal safety), Section 118 (1,2) (causing hurt or grievous hurt with dangerous weapons or means), Section 190 (liability of members of an unlawful assembly for offences committed in pursuit of a common object), among others.
The Karnataka government said that the case has now been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). A Special Investigation Team (SIT) will be constituted within the CID to ensure a robust probe into the incident.
The stampede took place during a public event on Wednesday to felicitate the RCB team following their maiden Indian Premier League title win. As per top sources who spoke to India Today, the Karnataka government went ahead with the felicitation ceremony the day after RCB’s victory, despite Bengaluru Police recommending it be held on Sunday for logistical and security reasons.