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The Cubbon Park Police have filed a First Information Report (FIR) in the wake of the tragic stampede at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium that claimed 11 lives and left 56 people injured. The FIR has been registered against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) franchise, DNA Entertainment Networks, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) administrative committee, and other unnamed organisers.
The FIR, registered suo motu on Wednesday, invokes multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt),118(1),118(2) (voluntarily causing grievous hurt), r/w 3(5), 190 (every member of unlawful assembly), 132 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 125(a) and 125(b) (acts endangering life).
The stampede, described as one of the worst crowd disasters in Indian cricket history, occurred on June 4 during a hastily organised victory parade to celebrate RCB’s maiden IPL title win. Authorities estimate that nearly three lakh people swarmed the roads around the stadium, vastly exceeding the area’s capacity and the preparedness of event organisers.
Witnesses recounted scenes of panic as barricades collapsed and a surging crowd pushed towards the stadium gates. With security personnel overwhelmed and crowd control measures insufficient, many were crushed in the chaos.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah called the incident “shocking and sorrowful” and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of the deceased. However, the government is now under fire for allegedly ignoring warnings from police and going ahead with the celebrations despite concerns about logistics and crowd management.
Opposition parties have criticised the Congress-led government, blaming it for failing to plan adequately. Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra called the stampede a “huge tragedy” and held the government responsible.