Police in Bengaluru arrested two subcontractor employees accused of sabotaging more than 240 CCTV cameras during the April 24 IPL match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans at M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
The suspects, identified as Manjunath and Abdul Kalam, allegedly damaged Network Video Recorder units and fibre connections, crippling surveillance across key zones.
Investigators said the disruption began around 11:30 am when the duo entered the stadium’s CCTV control room using a deactivated access card. They reportedly disabled NVR units and severed fibre‑optic links, affecting feeds from entry gates, concourses, corporate stands, and perimeter areas. The sabotage lasted nearly an hour before authorities restored the system at 12:30 pm, ensuring the match proceeded without incident.
Police findings suggest the act was motivated by unpaid dues of approximately Rs 10 lakh. The suspects admitted frustration with their employer, IVS Digital Solutions, and confessed to damaging the systems as retaliation. Officials emphasised that disabling security infrastructure constitutes a criminal offense under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The breach prevented live CCTV feeds from reaching police units stationed at the venue, exposing vulnerabilities in stadium security protocols. Experts warned that such lapses could be exploited, urging stricter vendor vetting, redundant systems, and real‑time monitoring.
Authorities assured that further investigation will determine accountability and strengthen safeguards for future matches. The incident has prompted IPL franchises to review operational strategies, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru facing heightened scrutiny over home venue arrangements. League officials may accelerate adoption of AI‑based surveillance redundancy and compliance checks to protect players and fans.
