Bengaluru: What began as a jubilant celebration of Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) success has turned into a matter of grave concern, as a police complaint has been filed against former Indian cricket captain and RCB veteran, Virat Kohli, in connection with a tragic incident that claimed 11 lives. The deaths occurred during a massive public gathering organized to celebrate the team's recent win, where overcrowding and alleged mismanagement led to a deadly stampede-like situation.
The complaint was lodged by prominent social activist H.M. Venkatesh, who has accused Kohli of being partly responsible for the disaster. In his complaint submitted to Cubbon Park Police Station, Venkatesh alleges that the event, which had no effective crowd control measures, was endorsed and promoted by Kohli and other team members, drawing a dangerously large number of fans to the venue.
Venkatesh contends that as a public figure and one of the primary faces of the franchise, Kohli's promotional involvement in the event helped escalate the crowd size to unmanageable levels. He has demanded that those accountable, including prominent individuals associated with the event, face legal scrutiny. However, as of now, the police have not registered a First Information Report (FIR) on the complaint.
In parallel, the Karnataka government has announced the formation of a judicial commission to thoroughly investigate the tragedy. The one-man commission will be headed by retired High Court judge, Justice John Michael D. Cunha. The commission has been tasked with probing the sequence of events, assessing security arrangements, evaluating the role of the organizers—including the cricket franchise and its partners—and determining whether the incident was preventable.
The commission is also expected to provide recommendations to ensure such tragedies do not recur in the future, especially at mass public events involving celebrities or sports teams. The state government’s move comes amidst mounting public outrage and demands for accountability from grieving families and civil society groups.
Meanwhile, RCB and Kohli have not yet issued an official statement addressing the complaint or the tragedy. Social media platforms have been flooded with emotional tributes to the deceased, along with questions over how an event of such magnitude was allowed to take place without adequate safety protocols.
The investigation and potential legal consequences could mark a significant moment in the debate over the responsibility of public figures in large-scale events and the urgent need for better planning and security in crowd-heavy gatherings.