Judicial Panel Faults RCB, KSCA, Event Firm, and Police in Stadium Stampede

Quick Summary

• Justice Michael Cunha-led judicial inquiry report on the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede was submitted to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
• The report indicts Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise, event management company DNA Entertainment Pvt Ltd, Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), and several city police officials for the incident that claimed 11 lives on June 4.
• Five suspended police officials, including former City Police Commissioner B. Dayananda and Additional Commissioner vikash Kumar Vikash, are specifically named in the report; more police officials are also held culpable.
• The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) set aside Mr. vikash’s suspension order, stating it lacked valid grounds and identifying RCB as primarily responsible for the tragedy due to insufficient preparation time for police.
• chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed receiving a two-volume report but has yet to review its findings; it will be discussed in a Cabinet meeting on July 17.
• A parallel magisterial inquiry led by Bengaluru district Deputy Commissioner G. Jagadeesha is still pending submission.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The judicial inquiry’s findings highlight glaring lapses across multiple stakeholders involved in organizing events at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. From RCB’s alleged mismanagement to failures within law enforcement agencies tasked with public safety, accountability emerges as a key concern likely requiring policy reform or stricter oversight mechanisms going forward.The setback faced by the State government due to CAT’s ruling against one official’s suspension underscores deeper systemic challenges in coordination between organizers and authorities during high-profile events. Discussions during upcoming Cabinet meetings could broadly shape future administrative protocols regarding crowd control measures at sporting venues.Read More: Judicial panel holds stakeholders responsible