In a comprehensive status report submitted to the Karnataka High Court, the state government provided detailed explanations and official responses regarding the stampede, which killed 11 people and injured several others.
Published Jul 18, 2025 | 11:56 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 18, 2025 | 11:56 AM
The tragic stampede outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Synopsis: The Karnataka government blamed the management of the RCB and the organisers of its victory parade after the Indian Premier League title victory for the stampede that occurred outside the M Chinnaswamy stadium on 4 June.
The Karnataka government blamed the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) management and the organisers of its victory parade following the Indian Premier League title win for the stampede that occurred outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on 4 June.
In a comprehensive status report submitted to the Karnataka High Court, the state government provided detailed explanations and official responses regarding the stampede, which killed 11 people and injured several others.
The high court, acting suo moto, had sought clarity after hundreds of thousands overwhelmed Chinnaswamy Stadium and its vicinity, leading to stampedes and a public outcry over crowd management.
The state government said there was no formal request for permission from the organisers, nor were the required information and details provided, which
meant that the request for permission could not be considered.
The report was made public on Thursday, 17 July, by order of the high court.
The government clarified that only a last-minute intimation — not an official permission request — was submitted by event managers the night before the parade. It added that due to the absence of crucial details on crowd estimates and security arrangements, police did not grant a license for the event.
“The PI of the Cubbon Park Police Station did not grant the permission… due to a lack of information regarding the expected approximate gathering, arrangements made, possible bottlenecks…” the state government stated in its report.
It added that despite the lack of approval, RCB published multiple social media posts from early morning on 4 June, inviting fans for a “free entry” celebration and procession. The government emphasised that organisers did not consult city authorities or follow required procedures before making these mass invitations.
The government said its estimates concluded that more than 300,000 people gathered, dwarfing the stadium’s 35,000 capacity.
It said the police, anticipating possible crowd surges, had already deployed over 2,400 personnel across eight major city sectors. Despite these measures, sudden gate failures and inadequate crowd control by organisers led to sporadic stampedes, the report said.
The government report pointed to a lack of proper planning by the organisers, including the absence of clear instructions for gate management, insufficient signage, and delayed clarification about entry passes.
“RCB/DNA/KSCA responsible for gate management, failed to open the gates at the appropriate time and in an unsynchronised manner. This prompted the crowd to force their way into the stadium by breaking open gates…” the report noted.
The government told the court it had taken immediate measures to address the stampede.
It said it ordered judicial and magisterial inquiries within hours of the incident, with FIRs registered and four arrests made. It said the investigation was transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
It added that five senior police officials, including three IPS officers, were suspended, and senior state administrators, including the Chief Minister’s Political Secretary and the head of state intelligence, were removed.
“After the incident, the CM and DCM along with other officers visited the hospitals to inquire about the condition of the injured persons and to facilitate in making all necessary requirement for prompt medical support,” the report said.
The government said families of the victims were compensated with ₹25 lakh each, and it assumed responsibility for the medical expenses of the injured.
Meanwhile, the report pointed to the absence of a specific Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for managing events of such magnitude. The government told the court it is now in the process of drafting comprehensive protocols for future large-scale gatherings to avoid a repeat of such incidents.
“The State Government is in the process of formulating a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) outlining mandatory measures to be undertaken by all relevant stakeholders for effective crowd management…” the submission assured.
After clinching its maiden IPL title on 3 June, the RCB team, led by Captain Rajat Patidar and Virat Kohli, travelled directly from HAL Airport to Vidhana Soudha.
Thousands of jubilant fans had lined the roads and gathered outside the legislature in anticipation of catching a glimpse of the team.
The government had cancelled an earlier planned victory parade, citing security concerns, and instead organised a formal felicitation ceremony at Vidhana Soudha.
However, the surge of fans around both the stadium and the seat of government quickly overwhelmed authorities. Police sources said 5,000 personnel had been deployed to maintain law and order.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
