In the aftermath of the tragic stampede at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium that claimed 11 lives during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) IPL victory celebration, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has issued a strong clarification — it had no role in organising the event.
The stampede occurred as thousands of fans gathered outside the stadium to celebrate RCB’s maiden IPL title win, turning a moment of joy into a devastating tragedy. Concerns have since been raised about the lack of crowd control and planning.
“BCCI Had No Involvement Post-Final,” Says Secretary
Speaking to The Indian Express, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia stated:
“Once the IPL final is over and after the presentation, BCCI has no role to play in what the franchise and the team choose to do on their home ground. They didn’t need to inform or seek our permission, nor does BCCI monitor such events.”
He stressed that event coordination with law enforcement is crucial to avoid such tragedies.
IPL Chairman Denies Prior Knowledge
IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal echoed this stance, revealing that the board was unaware of any plans for a public celebration:
“We had no knowledge of any parade or victory event planned in Bengaluru. We don’t know who organised it or how so many people showed up.”
Dhumal also stated that RCB was unaware of the stampede unfolding outside while the celebrations were ongoing inside the stadium. “As soon as they learned of the incident, they began wrapping up the festivities,” he said, adding that the state government and local administration must now investigate and act.
Broader Questions of Accountability
The clarification from the BCCI comes amid criticism directed at RCB management, franchise owners, and state authorities for going ahead with a large-scale public event just hours after the team returned from the IPL final.
As investigations begin, questions remain about why proper permissions were bypassed, and how a lack of coordination turned a historic sporting triumph into a day of mourning.
