The proposed bill, however, will not apply to traditional and religious gatherings such as fairs, chariot festivals, palanquin processions, boat festivals (Teppotsava), Urs events, and other religious celebrations.
Published Jun 20, 2025 | 10:44 AM ⚊ Updated Jun 20, 2025 | 10:44 AM
The tragic stampede outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Synopsis: Following the Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede, the Karnataka government proposed the Karnataka Crowd Control Bill, 2025, to regulate large gatherings. It mandates prior police permission, crowd control, and compensation. Violations by event planners may attract up to three years’ imprisonment or a ₹5 lakh fine. Traditional religious events are exempt. Offences are non-cognizable, non-bailable, and triable by a first-class magistrate.
In the wake of stampede at Chinnaswamy stadium during the RCB victory celebrations on 4 June, that claimed the lives of 11 people, the Karnataka government has proposed a new legislation, called the Karnataka Crowd Control Bill, 2025.
Draft bill, taken up for discussion in the cabinet meeting, on Thursday, 19 June, aims to regulate large gatherings and prevent such incidents in the future. It proposes stringent penalties, including up to three years of imprisonment and a ₹5 lakh fine for violations by event planners.
The proposed bill, titled, Karnataka crowd control (managing crown at events and venues of mass gathering) bill, 2025 states: “A Bill to effectively manage and control crowd at sponsored event and venues of mass gathering pertaining to political rally, jatra conference, etc, in the State of Karnataka. Whereas it is expedient to effectively manage and control crowd at sponsored events and venues of mass gathering pertaining to political rally, jatra, conference, etc, in the State of Karnataka and for matters connected therewith and incidental thereto.”
The proposed bill, however, will not apply to traditional and religious gatherings such as fairs, chariot festivals, palanquin processions, boat festivals (Teppotsava), Urs events, and other religious celebrations. It is expected to get a green signal in the next cabinet meeting.
According to the said bill, the penal provision to event planners who gathers the crowd for commercial purpose like sports or circus, is as follows: “If the event planner Des not apply before conducting the event or fails to control the crowd gathered and fails to give the compensation or violates the provisions of this Act or rules made hereunder in any other way, shall punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three ears or with fine up to five lakhs rupees or both.”
It further states that, “An offence under this Act shall be non-cognizable and non-bailable and shall be triable by magistrate of the first class.”
The offence of event planners under the Act:
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Nolan Patrick Pinto)
