Bengaluru: In a major development following the tragic stampede that claimed 11 lives during Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) IPL title celebration at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru police have arrested four individuals, including RCB’s Head of Marketing, Nikhil Sosale, and DNA event manager Sunil Mathew. The arrests were made at the Bengaluru airport, as the suspects were reportedly attempting to leave the city.
The incident, which unfolded during what was intended to be a jubilant public celebration of RCB’s historic title win, has now turned into a criminal investigation. According to authorities, the arrests stem from serious lapses in crowd management and event planning. Police sources confirmed that a case had been registered against the RCB management team, event management firm DNA Entertainment, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA).
“The tragedy could have been prevented,” said Bengaluru Police Commissioner B. Dayananda, who visited the site shortly after the incident. “Negligence in crowd control, lack of emergency protocols, and disregard for safety norms have cost 11 lives.”
The stampede occurred outside the stadium gates as thousands gathered to participate in the open-to-all victory rally. Eyewitnesses reported chaotic scenes, with no proper barricades or entry regulation, leading to a deadly crush. Several victims were women and young fans who had come to celebrate what was supposed to be a momentous day in the city’s sporting history.
In the wake of the incident, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has taken swift administrative action. He ordered the immediate suspension of several high-ranking officials, including the City Police Commissioner, the Additional Commissioner responsible for stadium security, the DCP (Central), the Assistant Commissioner of Police, and the Inspector of the Cubbon Park Police Station.
The Chief Minister also announced a judicial inquiry to probe the circumstances leading to the disaster. A single-member commission led by retired Karnataka High Court judge, Justice John Michael D. Kunja, will head the investigation. The commission has been tasked with submitting a report within 60 days, focusing on administrative accountability, safety failures, and event permissions.
Meanwhile, police have revealed that several office bearers of the Karnataka Cricket Association have gone underground since the FIR was filed. Efforts are underway to trace and bring them in for questioning.
Public outrage continues to grow, with many questioning how such a large-scale event was held without adequate safety measures in place. Civil society groups have called for stringent regulations governing mass public gatherings, especially those involving high-profile events with massive footfall.
What began as a celebration of cricketing triumph has now cast a shadow over sports event management in India, and has triggered calls for a systemic overhaul to prevent such tragedies in the future.