Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, June 5: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday announced the suspension of the Bengaluru Police Commissioner and several senior police officials, following the death of 11 people in a tragic stampede outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) IPL victory celebration.
The stampede, which occurred on Wednesday, also left 47 others injured. The chaos broke out near the stadium, where the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) had organised a felicitation event for the RCB players following their first-ever IPL win in 18 years.
Addressing the media after a Cabinet meeting, Siddaramaiah stated, “This was an unprecedented incident in which 11 lives were lost and over 37 injured. Free treatment is being given for all the injured.”
The suspended officials include the additional commissioner of police (stadium in-charge), assistant commissioner of police (ACP), Central division deputy commissioner of police (DCP), the local station house officer (SHO), police housemaster, and the Cubbon Park police station in-charge.
In addition, the chief minister has directed the director general of police (DGP) and inspector general of police (IGP) to immediately arrest representatives of RCB, DNA Entertainment (event organisers), and KSCA, holding them responsible for negligence leading to the incident.
To ensure a comprehensive investigation, Siddaramaiah announced that the Crime Investigation Department (CID) will take over the case. Furthermore, a judicial commission led by retired High Court judge John Michael D’Cunha will be constituted.
"Under the able guidance of retired High Court judge John Michael D’Cunha, we plan to appoint a one-man commission. We decided in the Cabinet to arrest representatives of the organisations involved due to their negligence,” Siddaramaiah said.
How the stampede unfolded
Preliminary reports provided to the state government suggest that a temporary slab placed over a drain near the stadium collapsed under the weight of the crowd standing on it. The sudden collapse caused panic, leading to the deadly stampede.
Although the KSCA event was meant for attendees with valid tickets and passes, thousands of fans gathered outside the venue, eager to see their cricketing heroes up close. The overwhelming crowd and lack of adequate control measures resulted in a breakdown of order.
Those who died in the tragedy included young men and women aged between 13 and 35 years.
According to senior government sources quoted by India Today TV, the state government went ahead with the felicitation ceremony just a day after RCB’s victory, despite Bengaluru Police advising a Sunday event for better logistical and security preparedness. The government’s decision to ignore that recommendation may have significantly contributed to the catastrophe.