Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, July 1: In a major blow to the Karnataka state government, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has revoked the suspension of IPS officer Vikas Kumar, who was among six senior police officials held responsible for the deadly stampede outside Chinnaswamy Stadium during the RCB IPL victory celebrations last month.

The tribunal's ruling, delivered on Tuesday, has been seen as a sharp rebuke to the government’s handling of the incident and its disciplinary action against top police brass.

The tragedy, which unfolded on June 4, claimed the lives of 11 people and injured 64 others, as crowds spiralled out of control outside the stadium. The police were heavily criticised for failing to manage the surging crowd, prompting the state to initiate a magisterial probe and suspend six officers, including the then Bengaluru police commissioner B Dayananda and Vikas Kumar, additional commissioner of police (East Division).

Vikas Kumar challenged his suspension before the Central Administrative Tribunal, which on June 24 had reserved its verdict. The order, made public today by a bench comprising Justice B K Srivatsava and Santosh Mehra, set aside the suspension and ruled in Kumar's favour.

Senior counsel Dhyan Chinappa, representing the IPS officer, argued that the suspension was arbitrary and that his client was entitled to full service benefits. The tribunal agreed, reinstating Kumar and restoring his service entitlements.

Meanwhile, the CAT is still reviewing the suspension orders of B Dayananda and DCP Shekhar H Tekannavar, and legal sources suggest that similar relief may be granted to them soon.

Who was suspended after stampede?

In the aftermath of the stampede, the government had suspended the following officers:

• B Dayananda, then commissioner of police, Bengaluru

• Vikas Kumar Vikas, additional commissioner of police (East)

• Shekhar H Tekannavar, DCP (Central Division)

• C Balakrishna, assistant commissioner of police

• A K Girish, circle inspector, Cubbon Park police station

While the three IPS officers were suspended under the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, the ACP and Inspector were proceeded against under the Karnataka State Police (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules, 1965.

With the CAT’s verdict, the state government now faces tough questions on the legitimacy and timing of its suspensions, especially as the magisterial inquiry is still ongoing.