Bengaluru Stampede: RCB, KSCA, Police Blamed for 11 Deaths on June 4

11 people died and over 50 were hurt in a stampede during an RCB victory celebration. Investigations blame RCB, KSCA, and police for poor safety.
By Newsroom | Sports, Bengaluru |

A massive gathering for an IPL victory parade in Bengaluru on June 4, 2025, resulted in a deadly stampede, claiming 11 lives and injuring over 50. Despite the tragic loss, a clear path to accountability remains elusive, with ongoing debates about who bears ultimate responsibility. The event, intended as a joyous celebration for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) team following their IPL title win, devolved into chaos due to what appears to be a significant breakdown in event management and public safety protocols. This incident has since triggered legal scrutiny, official inquiries, and a broader discussion about the safety measures surrounding large public events, particularly those linked to major sporting franchises.

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Events Leading to the Tragedy

The circumstances surrounding the stampede point to a confluence of factors, beginning with the planning and announcement of the victory parade.

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  • Victory Parade Announcement: Following RCB's IPL win on June 3, 2025, the team was expected to return to Bengaluru. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), on behalf of event organizer DNA Entertainment, submitted a letter to the Cubbon Park Police Station on June 3, intimating potential victory parades and celebrations should RCB win. This intimation, however, was reportedly made with insufficient detail regarding expected crowd size and arrangements, leading the police to deny the request for an open bus parade due to lack of information and short notice.

  • Social Media Announcements: Despite the denial of a formal parade permit, RCB proceeded to announce celebratory plans via social media on the morning of June 4. Posts on official RCB social media channels, including one featuring Virat Kohli, indicated plans for celebrations. These announcements garnered significant online engagement, drawing hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of views across various posts.

  • Crowd Surge: The social media announcements appear to have rapidly mobilized a large number of fans, leading to an immense gathering outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Reports indicate that within hours of the team reaching Bengaluru, a vast crowd had congregated.

  • Stampede Occurs: The overwhelming surge of the crowd outside the stadium led to the stampede. This resulted in the tragic deaths of 11 individuals and injuries to more than 50 others.

Investigations and Official Responses

In the aftermath of the stampede, various bodies have initiated investigations and taken steps to address the incident.

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  • Judicial Commission Report: A one-man judicial commission, headed by retired Justice John Michael D'Cunha, submitted its report to the Chief Minister. This report reportedly attributes responsibility for the lapses to the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), RCB, and the Bengaluru Police. The report noted a significant breakdown in basic security and crowd control, along with a lack of coordination between police and organizers.

  • Karnataka Government's Stance: The Karnataka government, in its status report, held RCB accountable for the stampede. This report, initially sought to be kept confidential by the government, was later ordered to be publicly disclosed by the Karnataka High Court.

  • Karnataka High Court Intervention: The High Court took suo motu cognisance of the incident and has strongly criticized the state government and RCB for the large gathering without proper authorization or coordination. It has also ordered the disclosure of the government's status report on the incident.

  • Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) Observations: A two-member bench of the CAT, a quasi-judicial body, observed that RCB was responsible for the massive crowd gathering, stating they "created nuisance" without prior permission.

  • Police Action: Five senior police officers, including the then Bengaluru Police Commissioner, were suspended following the incident. An IPS officer, Kumar, who faced action, later had the suspension order quashed by a tribunal.

  • KSCA Resignations: A Shankar, the secretary, and ES Jairam, the treasurer of the KSCA, resigned from their posts, taking moral responsibility for the stampede.

  • BCCI Involvement: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has expressed its disapproval and has formed a committee to establish guidelines aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future. The BCCI has also sent a stern letter to RCB.

Divergent Views on Accountability

The distribution of blame for the stampede remains a contentious issue, with various entities pointing fingers at others.

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  • RCB's Role: Multiple reports and tribunal observations place significant responsibility on RCB for the social media announcements that, without proper permits, triggered the large public gathering. The government's report specifically names RCB as accountable, highlighting their social media posts as a direct cause of the crowd surge.

  • KSCA's Liability: The KSCA is also implicated, having submitted the initial intimation letter regarding potential celebrations. Their officials have resigned, citing moral responsibility. The judicial commission's report includes KSCA among those responsible.

  • Police Lapses: The police department is criticized for its perceived lack of preparedness and slow response. The judicial commission and government reports mention failures in crowd management and coordination. Reports also indicate that double the usual number of police personnel were deployed compared to previous stadium events, suggesting an awareness of potential crowd issues, yet the outcome was still tragic.

  • Event Organizers: DNA Entertainment Networks, identified as RCB's event partners, are also named in the judicial inquiry as being responsible for the stampede.

  • Fans' Perspective: Some opinion pieces highlight that while authorities and franchises are being scrutinized, the fans, the ultimate stakeholders, often bear the brunt of poor management, with their safety seemingly undervalued.

Lingering Questions of Responsibility

Despite the investigations and findings, the definitive assignment of legal and administrative accountability is still under process.

  • The sequence of events suggests a failure to translate awareness of potential crowd issues into effective preventative action.

  • Was the initial intimation by KSCA to the police sufficiently detailed to warrant a different response, or did it simply serve as a perfunctory notification?

  • To what extent did the viral nature of social media announcements bypass established channels for event approval and security planning?

  • Are the resignations of KSCA officials sufficient closure, or do they deflect from broader organizational accountability within the cricket association?

  • How will the BCCI's new guidelines translate into tangible changes in event management protocols for franchises and governing bodies?

Conclusion

The Bengaluru stampede is a stark illustration of how a celebratory event can turn tragic due to inadequate planning and oversight. While a judicial commission and governmental reports have pointed towards RCB, the KSCA, and the police as bearing responsibility, the process of establishing clear accountability is ongoing. The Karnataka High Court's intervention and the BCCI's move to form a dedicated committee signify a push for greater scrutiny and preventative measures. However, the central issue remains: ensuring that large-scale public events prioritize public safety above all else, and that robust mechanisms are in place to prevent such catastrophic lapses from recurring. The incident has underscored a critical gap between the allure of large sporting events and the stringent safety measures required to manage the passionate fan base they attract.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did the Bengaluru stampede happen on June 4, 2025?
A stampede happened during an RCB victory celebration outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. It was caused by a huge crowd gathering after social media announcements, leading to a dangerous surge.
Q: Who is being blamed for the Bengaluru stampede that killed 11 people?
Reports from a judicial commission and the Karnataka government blame Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), and the Bengaluru Police for failures in safety and crowd control.
Q: What role did RCB play in the Bengaluru stampede?
RCB is blamed for announcing celebration plans on social media without proper permits. This led to a massive, unmanaged crowd gathering, which a tribunal said created a 'nuisance'.
Q: What action has been taken after the Bengaluru stampede?
Five senior police officers were suspended, and KSCA officials resigned. The BCCI has sent a letter to RCB and formed a committee to create new safety rules for future events.
Q: What did the Karnataka High Court say about the Bengaluru stampede?
The High Court strongly criticized the state government and RCB for the large gathering without proper permission or coordination. It ordered the government to release its report on the incident.
Q: How many people died or were injured in the Bengaluru stampede?
Sadly, 11 people lost their lives in the stampede. More than 50 other people were injured during the chaotic event.