Meenakshi Shukla
Amid nationwide outrage over the deadly stampede at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, a Bengaluru court has remanded four individuals to 14 days of judicial custody. Those arrested include the marketing head of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and three executives of DNA Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. The action is in connection with the tragic incident that occurred on June 4, 2025, outside the stadium. The stampede left 11 people dead and over 50 others injured, including minors and elderly fans.
What was meant to be a jubilant celebration of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s maiden IPL victory turned into a catastrophe. The stampede occurred during a fan event organised by RCB to celebrate their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title win. According to the investigation so far, the crowd outside the stadium had swelled to uncontrollable numbers, with thousands attempting to gain entry to participate in the “Victory Parade.”
However, the situation spiralled out of control due to inadequate planning, overcrowding, and the lack of proper barricading or police presence at entry points. According to eyewitnesses and video evidence, gates remained closed for extended periods, causing panic and a rush toward the limited access points.
The four arrested Nikhil Sosale (RCB’s head of marketing and revenue), Sunil Mathew (Director & VP, DNA Entertainment), Shamanth S. P. (Ticketing head), and Kiran Kumar (Manager) were taken into custody based on findings of gross negligence. DNA Entertainment PVT. Ltd. was the event management agency appointed to execute the celebration, and investigators have alleged failure to coordinate with civic authorities and ensure basic crowd control measures.
This case originated from a First Information Report (FIR) bearing Crime No. 123/2025 registered by Cubbon Park Police on June 5, 2025. The FIR names RCB, DNA Entertainment Pvt Ltd, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) as the initial accused and invokes serious charges under Sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 115 (voluntarily causing hurt), and 118 (grievous hurt by dangerous means) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
Following the public outcry, the Karnataka High Court took suo motu cognizance and initiated a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to probe administrative and crowd-management lapses. The High Court has directed the State Government to file a sealed status report and restrained the CID from seeking police custody of the accused until further hearing of petitions filed by RCB, DNA, and KSCA challenging the FIR.
Meanwhile, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has taken over the probe and is conducting detailed inspections at the stadium, reviewing CCTV footage, interviewing witnesses and injured persons at Bowring Hospital, and collecting forensic evidence. Several senior police officials have also been suspended for dereliction of duty, as questions arise about why proper clearance and planning were not ensured for an event of such magnitude.
The event was expected to be ticketed, with passes distributed online. However, miscommunication, crowd overflow, and alleged last-minute changes in access control reportedly led to mass confusion outside Gate 1 where the deadly crush occurred.
This tragedy has sparked national concern over the accountability of private event organisers, sports franchises, and law enforcement in handling public events. Legal experts suggest that the outcome of this case could set critical precedents in determining criminal liability for administrative failures in large-scale gatherings.
As investigations and court proceedings continue, the case remains under intense public and judicial scrutiny, marking it as one of the most tragic and legally significant civic disasters in Bengaluru’s recent history.
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