In his letter dated 4 June to the government secretary to the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms, DCP (Vidhana Soudha Security) MN Karibasavana Gowda detailed why an event on such a large scale should not be held.
Published Jun 09, 2025 | 2:27 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 09, 2025 | 2:29 PM
RCB moves Karnataka High Court to expunge CAT remarks linking team to Chinnaswamy stadium stampede(Sriharikanth)
Synopsis: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his government have been trying to wash their hands of the accountability regarding the recent stampede in Bengaluru. However, it has become clear that the police had intimated to them that sufficient time and personnel were not available to maintain security.
Even while Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his government have been trying to wash their hands of the accountability regarding the recent stampede in Bengaluru, it has become clear that the police had intimated them that sufficient time and personnel were not available to maintain security.
On 4 June, the police had intimated the government regarding the lack of sufficient time and personnel to hold a felicitation programme for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), which won its first-ever IPL trophy, on the grand steps of the Vidhana Soudha.
Yet, they were overruled, and the function took place. While the stampede took place outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, which cost 11 lives, the letter throws up important questions regarding the tragedy.
On Sunday, 8 June, while speaking to the media in Mysuru, the chief minister said that the permission pertained to an event within the Vidhana Soudha premises, and no untoward incident occurred there.
“The stampede took place at the Chinnaswamy Stadium event. The police should have provided proper security there. However, due to inadequate arrangements by the police, the concerned officers have been suspended,” he said, shrugging off accountability.
The chief minister added that it was the police department that failed to provide “comprehensive details about the security arrangements at the event venue” and added that the event at Chinnaswamy Stadium was not a government program, and he was not invited to it.
Siddaramaiah claimed that even though the injured were admitted to the hospital by 3.50 pm, he received information about the stampede and the resulting deaths only around 5.45 pm. “This incident should never have happened. It is deeply saddening,” he said.
To avoid such tragic losses from taking place again, he said, “The government will consider relocating the cricket stadium to a different place. Such unfortunate incidents must not happen under any administration. Personally, this incident has caused pain to me and the government.”
However, he reiterated that the government was not at fault. “The matter is being taken seriously, and appropriate action has been initiated. Even though the government is not at fault, the incident has caused sorrow,” he said.
In his letter dated 4 June to the government secretary to the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR), Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) (Vidhana Soudha Security) MN Karibasavana Gowda detailed why an event on such a large scale should not be held.
His letter was in response to the DPAR, which had sought his opinion on holding the massive felicitation programme for the team RCB.
Karibasavana Gowda stated, “RCB has a huge fan following across the country. If the event on the grand steps is organised, lakhs of cricket fans will come to the Vidhana Soudha. There will be a problem as there is a shortage of officials or staff for bandobast.”
“We request that the distribution of passes, online or offline, for the public to attend the felicitation at Vidhana Soudha be stopped,” he added.
Considering the possibility that secretariat officials or staff would bring their family members since the event was scheduled for 4 pm, he said: “We request you to declare a half-day holiday for the officials or staff and also to direct them not to attend the event or bring their families to the event.”
Seeking to enhance security, he said that they had requested the installation of CCTV cameras in front and around the Vidhana Soudha, but it did not happen.
“With lakhs of fans arriving at the Vidhana Soudha, CCTV cameras are necessary. But without CCTV cameras, it will pose a threat to the security system,” he explained.
“As the programme is being held on the Vidhana Soudha’s grand steps, we want a no-objection certificate to be issued by the Public Works Department (PWD). Also, the organisers must be informed that the police should be allowed to conduct security checks at least two hours before the event,” he added.
Detailing even the minutest issues that go into organising a grand event, he wrote, “With electric equipment used during the event, the concerned engineer must issue a fitness certificate. Also, we request that a written communication be sent to the assistant executive engineer and the PWD (electrical).”
He was also crystal clear about the need to be absolutely ready and said that, in such a short time frame, the police would not be able to.
“The organisers must allow the anti-sabotage check squad at least two hours before the event,” and “As the RCB fan following is huge, police personnel from outside the city will be required. It will require time.”
“The law and order and the traffic police will have to coordinate to conduct such a huge event, and there is not enough time,” he added. With changes in how threats are evolving in today’s times, he said there were chances of using drones during such events and sought anti-drone systems.
However, he summed up the issues at hand and stated that the police would “abide by the government’s decision”.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
