Bengaluru police have arrested four people associated with Royal Challengers Bengaluru and private event management company DNA Entertainment Networks Private Limited less than 24 hours after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that the state government had directed the police to arrest officials involved in the organisation of the celebrations of the team’s win.
Bengaluru police reportedly arrested Nikhil Sosale, marketing head for Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Diageo India Private Ltd. According to reports, Nikhil was arrested at the Kempegowda International Airport and will be handed over to the CID which has now taken over the investigation.
The police have also arrested three staff members of DNA Entertainment Networks Private Ltd. Senior event manager Kiran Kumar, vice president of business affairs Sunil Mathew and another employee Sumanth have reportedly been taken in for questioning to the Cubbon Park Police Station.
Eleven people died and over 50 were injured during the stampede that occurred outside Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4.
The Cubbon Park police had registered an FIR suo motu on June 5, under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) including culpable homicide and deterring public servants from discharging their duties, and endangerment to life.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had announced on June 5, during a hurriedly convened press conference, that the state cabinet had taken a decision to arrest the officials of the RCB, Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and the event manager DNA Networks.
He also said that the investigation would be handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Sources told TNM that ADGP CID BK Singh will head the investigation.
Siddaramaiah also said that the state cabinet had decided to order a judicial inquiry by retired Karnataka High Court judge Justice Michael D’Cunha.
The CM had previously announced that a magisterial inquiry would be carried out by Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner Jagadeesha. Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court has also taken up the case suo moto.