The court heard arguments on Friday on the state’s plea challenging the Central Administrative Tribunal’s earlier order quashing the suspension of IPS officer Vikash Kumar Vikash.
Published Jul 25, 2025 | 6:35 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 25, 2025 | 6:35 PM
Vikash Kumar VIkash.
Synopsis: The Karnataka government, challenging the Central Administrative Tribunal’s order reversing the suspension of IPS officer Vikas Kumar Vikas, told the High Court that its decision to suspend five police officers, including Vikas, in the immediate aftermath of the 4 June stampede outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium, was due to their failure to implement standard procedures despite having 24 hours’ notice.
The Karnataka government has defended its decision to suspend five police officials held directly responsible for the 4 June stampede outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, telling the High Court that the suspension was not merely due to them “not being the best at [their] duty”, but rather for failing to implement standard procedures despite having 24 hours’ notice, LiveLaw reported.
A Division Bench comprising Justice SG Pandit and Justice TM Nadaf heard arguments on Friday, 25 July, on the state’s plea challenging the Central Administrative Tribunal’s (CAT) earlier order quashing the suspension of IPS officer Vikash Kumar Vikash.
He served as Additional Inspector General and Additional Commissioner of Police, West Bengaluru City, and was one of the five officers suspended in the aftermath of the tragedy.
“We didn’t merely suspend them for not being the best at their duty,” Senior Advocate PS Rajagopal, appearing for the state, told the court, as quoted by LiveLaw.
“Kindly see the transfer order. He was not transferred for this sole event. I am not saying they should have been fortune tellers, but they failed to implement standard procedures despite having 24 hours’ notice.”
Citing a letter from the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), which had informed the police of the planned celebration, Rajagopal alleged that “no preventive action was taken”. He added that disciplinary proceedings had been contemplated.
“The law is this, that if the file contains a contemplation, it would suffice. The file is made available, it definitely contemplated enquiry,” he said.
He also informed the court that the state intended to place the Justice D’Cunha Commission’s report on record but was told that it must first be tabled in the Assembly.
IPS officer Vikash Kumar Vikash argued that the government could not selectively hold the police responsible for the crowd surge.
“The government had held a function first, where all leaders were present with the players. Lakhs of people came to Vidhana Soudha and then went to Chinnaswamy,” he said, as quoted by LiveLaw.
“If one part of the programme was as wished by the government, there is reasonable grounds to believe they could’ve known what would happen next.”
He said the police had performed their duties to the best of their ability but were still suspended. “Court must consider what is considered dereliction of duty by them? It has been held that mere negligence cannot be constituted to be misconduct,” he added.
The court then asked him to submit a representation. “You give your representation. You complete your arguments. If you don’t want to give representation, we can pass order on merits,” the bench said.
Vikash replied, “I will complete my arguments.”
The court will resume hearing the matter next Friday.
Earlier this month, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) ordered the Karnataka government to revoke the suspension of Vikash Kumar Vikash, who had challenged his suspension following the 4 June stampede outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
In its ruling, the CAT observed:
“It cannot be expected from the police that within a short time of about 12 hours the police will make all arrangements required in the Police Act or in the other rules, etc. Police personnel are also human beings. They are neither ‘God’ (Bhagwan) nor magician and also not having the magic powers like ‘Alladdin ka Chirag’ which was able to fulfil any wish only by rubbing a finger.”
“Because of shortage of time on 04.06.2025, the police was unable to do the appropriate arrangements. Sufficient time was not given to the police,” the order said.
The tribunal also directed the state to revoke the suspension of four other police officers. The officers who were suspended are:
The stampede occurred during a public felicitation ceremony organised for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) team, which had won the IPL trophy the previous day. Around 2.5 lakh people had gathered at the stadium. The incident left 11 people dead and more than 50 injured.
The government held Vikash Kumar Vikash and four other officers directly responsible, citing “substantial dereliction of duty” and alleging their failure to act contributed to the tragedy.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
