The Karnataka government has held Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) accountable for the June 4 stampede that resulted in 11 deaths and over 50 injuries during the team’s IPL victory celebrations.
The findings, revealed in a detailed report submitted to the Karnataka High Court, cite unilateral decision-making, failure to seek proper permissions, and social media miscommunication as key factors that triggered chaos outside Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Key Findings from the State’s Report:
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No Police Permission Sought:
RCB allegedly informed the police of the event on June 3 — the day they won the IPL — but did not submit a formal request or fill out prescribed formats for holding a mass gathering, as required by law. -
Public Invite Without Coordination:
Despite lacking police clearance, RCB’s official social media handles posted an open invitation on June 4, stating “free entry” for fans. Posts reached over 4.4 million people, leading to a turnout estimated at over 3 lakh — vastly exceeding the stadium’s 35,000-seat capacity. -
Sudden Crowd Surge:
The situation spiraled around 3 PM on June 4, when large crowds gathered at the stadium gates. Confusion escalated after RCB belatedly clarified that only pass-holders would be allowed entry, triggering panic and a stampede at multiple entry gates, especially gates 1, 2, and 21. -
Lack of Gate Management:
The report slams RCB, DNA Entertainment, and KSCA for poor coordination and failure to open gates in a timely and synchronized manner, compounding the crisis. -
Why Event Wasn’t Called Off:
The state justified not cancelling the parade, citing fears of city-wide violence. Officials instead opted to curtail the event to manage the volatile crowd.
RCB’s Role Under Scrutiny
The report makes repeated references to “complete mismanagement” by the RCB and associated organizers, saying they failed to anticipate the turnout or responsibly handle crowd communication. The Karnataka High Court rejected the state’s request to keep the report confidential and made it public, noting the need for accountability.
