Karnataka govt submitted a detailed report to the High Court on the Chinnaswamy stampede that killed 11. Blaming organisers, it detailed swift actions, suspensions, FIRs, and a judicial probe, while explaining why the event wasn’t cancelled to avoid city-wide riots.
In response to the tragic stampede at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, which resulted in the loss of 11 lives, the Congress-led Karnataka government submitted a detailed status report to the Karnataka High Court, highlighting its swift and layered response. The report strongly attributes the primary responsibility for the disaster to the event organisers—Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), and DNA Networks.
The government’s report was in response to specific queries raised by the High Court during the suo motu hearing of the case. It began by affirming that the state’s reaction to the tragedy was both “immediate and multifaceted.”
On the evening of the incident itself, the government issued a Government Order mandating a Magisterial Inquiry, to be conducted by Jagadish G, Deputy Commissioner of Bengaluru Urban District, with a 15-day deadline to submit findings.
In parallel, three FIRs were registered early on June 4 against RCB, KSCA, and DNA. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) took over the investigation, leading to the arrest of four individuals involved in the event organisation.
Recognising lapses in law enforcement, the government took further disciplinary action. On June 5, five police officers, including three high-ranking IPS officers—the Commissioner of Police, the Inspector General and Additional Commissioner of Police, and the Deputy Commissioner of Police—were suspended. Two other officers, the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Cubbon Park) and the Police Inspector (Cubbon Park), were also suspended.
To ensure an impartial review, the state constituted a One-Man Commission of Inquiry, led by retired High Court Justice Michael Cunha. The commission was tasked with delivering a comprehensive report within a month, outlining causes, lapses, and responsibilities tied to the incident.
Why the Event Was Not Cancelled
A key question addressed by the report was why the victory celebration at the stadium was not cancelled despite the unfolding tragedy. The report explains that public safety concerns and the risk of mob violence were the primary reasons behind allowing the event to proceed in a shortened and controlled manner. Authorities feared that abruptly calling off the function might escalate tensions among the massive crowd, potentially causing city-wide unrest.
Instead, the event was allowed to continue with tight monitoring and a reduced duration, beginning at 5:30 p.m. This decision factored in crowd psychology, mass gathering dynamics, and the lack of immediate information dissemination among attendees, according to the report.
The government noted that past law-and-order situations have shown how cancelling popular public events abruptly can incite severe reactions and violent outcomes, adding to the challenges of maintaining peace.
Pre-Incident Preparations
Defending its preparedness before the incident, the government stated that a security meeting was convened on June 3 by the Police Commissioner with all Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) for Law and Order and Traffic. Detailed instructions were issued for maintaining security for the upcoming victory celebrations following the IPL finals.
After RCB’s win late on June 3, city-wide, spontaneous celebrations erupted in areas like MG Road, Indiranagar, Koramangala, and Govindaraj Nagar, lasting till 5 a.m. on June 4. The entire Bengaluru police force was mobilised, including 607 officers and 2,430 constables, under the direct supervision of the Commissioner of Police. These efforts ensured that no untoward incidents occurred during the night.
Despite these measures, the government admitted that the report is preliminary and subject to updates as the investigation progresses. The CID and Justice Cunha’s commission are expected to uncover more evidence and offer further insights in the coming weeks.
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As public scrutiny intensifies, the High Court’s oversight is expected to play a pivotal role in ensuring transparency, accountability, and justice for the victims of the Chinnaswamy stampede.
