In yet another fallout of the Bengaluru stampede that killed 11 RCB fans and injured at least 50 others, K Govindaraj, Political Secretary to the Karnataka Chief Minister and a long time associate of Siddaramaiah, has been relieved of his duties. TNM had reported on June 5 that oral permission for the event was granted by people in the government. With this action, it has become evident that Govindaraj has most likely played a key role in facilitating the victory celebrations.
Sources in the government say that Govindaraj, also a powerful sports administrator, brought officials from the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and the Royal Challengers of Bengaluru to meet Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on the morning of June 4, just hours before the celebrations. Govindaraj is said to have been instrumental in liasoning between the organisers and the CM to secure approval for holding the celebrations in front of the state secretariat, Vidhana Soudha.
A member of the Karnataka Legislative Council, Govindaraj is often referred to as ‘de-facto sports minister’ by those in the government. In 2023, he became the first Indian to be nominated as the President of FIBA (Fédération Internationale de Basketball) Asia. He is also the President of the Karnataka Olympic Association.
A senior government source also said that Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda (who has since been suspended) had initially denied permission for an open-bus parade or any kind of parade through the city.
“Govindaraj is the go-to man for all sports people. Ever since B Nagendra resigned as sports minister in 2024 (over graft allegations), Govindaraj has functioned as the de-facto minister. Though the Police Commissioner at first said no to a parade, it would have been difficult for him to stand his ground if Govindaraj insisted,” a source said.
Incidentally, B Dayananda IPS is also the President of the Karnataka State Basketball Association.
On June 5, the Karnataka CM announced the immediate suspension of several senior police officers including Police Commissioner B Dayananda. He also ordered a Magisterial inquiry into the stampede and handed over the case to the CID for further investigation. Senior officials from RCB, KSCA and the event manager DNA were arrested by Bengaluru Police on Friday morning.