Shilpi Nama
On 1st July, 2025, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) overturned the suspension of ACP Vikash Kumar Vikash in connection with the June 4 Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede. In its order, the CAT observed that IPL team Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) appeared “prima facie responsible” for the massive crowd that gathered, leading to the stampede that claimed 11 lives and injured over 56 people.
The Tribunal also noted that RCB had failed to obtain necessary permissions in time, making it difficult for police to manage the situation effectively. Challenging these remarks, RCB has now filed a plea before the Karnataka High Court, arguing that the comments were made without giving the team an opportunity to be heard, thus violating principles of natural justice. RCB argues that it was not involved in the CAT proceedings and has requested the High Court to strike down the remarks made against it. At the same time, the Karnataka Government has filed a separate petition, maintaining that ACP Vikash’s suspension was warranted due to his alleged negligence.
The CAT, in a ruling passed on July 1 while revoking the suspension of Additional Commissioner of Police (ACP) Vikash Kumar Vikash, had opined that RCB was “prima facie responsible” for the crowd that gathered and ultimately caused the stampede. The Tribunal also stated that RCB had failed to obtain necessary permissions in time, leaving the police with inadequate preparation time to manage the crowd.
In its petition, RCB strongly objected to these observations, stating they were made without giving the franchise an opportunity to present its side.
“Despite the fact that (RCB) was not a party before it… the Tribunal made observations against (RCB) without even giving an opportunity to be heard,”
RCB said in its plea, filed through advocate Raghuram Cadambi. The franchise emphasized that such remarks violate the principles of natural justice.
The CAT had notably remarked,
“Police personnel are also human beings… They are neither ‘God’ (Bhagwan) nor Magician and also not having the magic powers like ‘Alladdin ka Chirag’…”
It criticized RCB for creating a public gathering “without any prior permission”, which hindered the police’s ability to respond effectively in a limited timeframe.
Following public backlash, several police officers, including ACP Vikash, were suspended by the Karnataka Government for alleged dereliction of duty. However, the CAT overturned Vikash’s suspension, attributing the chaos in part to RCB’s failure to coordinate with the authorities.
RCB has now requested the High Court to strike down the CAT’s critical observations and declare that such comments hold no legal weight. Meanwhile, the Karnataka Government has also moved the High Court, contesting the CAT’s decision and arguing that ACP Vikash’s suspension was justified based on his role in the mishandling of the crowd.
Case Name: Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited v. Mr. Vikash Kumar Vikash and others.
Case Number: ORIGINAL APPLICATION NO.170/00261/2025
Bench: Hon’ble Mr. Justice B.K. Shrivastava and Hon’ble Mr. Santosh Mehra
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