The Karnataka government has held Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) responsible for a tragic stampede outside Chinnaswamy Stadium that killed 11 people and injured over 50. Despite a request to keep the report confidential, the Karnataka High Court ruled there was no legal basis for withholding it, as reported by NDTV.
Unauthorized Victory Parade Sparks Chaos
The government’s report revealed that RCB organized a victory parade on June 4, 2025, following their IPL title win, without obtaining required police permissions. While RCB informed the Cubbon Park Police Station on June 3, the communication was merely a notification, not a formal request as mandated by law, which requires applications to be submitted seven days in advance.
The report noted that RCB’s request lacked critical details, such as expected crowd size, arrangements, and contingency plans for the IPL final’s outcome. Consequently, the police did not grant approval for the event.
RCB’s Social Media Blitz Fuels Massive Turnout
Despite the lack of permission, RCB announced the parade on social media. At 7:01 AM on June 4, the franchise posted on X, inviting fans to a free victory parade from Vidhana Soudha to Chinnaswamy Stadium. A follow-up post at 8:00 AM reinforced the invitation, and at 8:55 AM, a video featuring Virat Kohli was shared, urging fans to join the celebration. A final post at 3:14 PM announced limited-entry passes available online, but earlier posts implied open access, creating confusion.These posts garnered over 44 lakh views, drawing an estimated crowd of over 3,00,000, far exceeding typical daily transit numbers reported by the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL). Crowds also lined a 14-kilometer route from HAL Airport to Taj West End to see the team, requiring significant police deployment to manage the situation.
Overcrowding Triggers Deadly Stampede
By 3:00 PM on June 4, approximately 3,00,000 people had gathered near Chinnaswamy Stadium, vastly exceeding its 35,000 capacity. The report highlighted that RCB’s social media posts, which initially suggested free entry, contributed to the overwhelming turnout. A belated clarification at 3:14 PM about limited-entry passes caused frustration among fans already at the venue.
The situation worsened when organizers, including RCB and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), failed to manage gate access effectively. Crowds broke through Gates 1, 2, and 21, leading to stampedes at multiple entry points. Police responded swiftly to regain control, but the mismanagement led to chaos.
Why the Event Continued
The report explained that canceling the event was deemed too risky, as it could have sparked violence and disrupted law and order across Bengaluru. Instead, authorities shortened the event’s duration and increased monitoring to balance public safety with crowd management, citing the potential for widespread unrest based on past incidents.The Karnataka government’s findings underscore the need for better event planning and communication to prevent such tragedies in the future.