RCB accountable for Bengaluru stampede, rules Central Administrative Tribunal

Royal Challengers Bengaluru has been held prima facie responsible for the stampede incident which occurred in Bengaluru on June 4 by  by the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT). The tragedy in which 11 lives were lost had garnered widespread criticism in the country.

The situation became out of hand after a massive crowd flocked over to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru to celebrate the franchise’s first-ever Indian Premier League triumph in 18 years. 

The tribunal observed that RCB had not taken prior permission from the necessary authorities before organising the public event. Instead, the franchise announced their decision of the celebration in Bengaluru through on their social media accounts. 

“Suddenly, RCB created the aforesaid type of nuisance without any prior permission. Police personnel are also human beings. They are neither god nor magicians and also don’t have magic powers like Alladdin ka Chirag,” the tribunal observed. 

Following the incident, Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah, announced the suspension of Commissioner of Police of Bengaluru, Dayananda, Additional Commissioner of Police, Vikash Kumar Vikash, Deputy Commissioner of Police of Central Division, Shekhar H Tekkannavar, Assistant Commissioner of Police, C Balakrishna, and Circle Police Inspector of the Cubbon Park Police Station, A K Girish.

The state government had also suspended three IPS officers under the All India Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1969. Disciplinary proceedings were taken against the ACP and PI under the Karnataka State Police (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules, 1965.

Usually, trophy processions have always occurred a few days or weeks after the team has won the title. However, this was not the case with RCB. The whole side barring a few players who had to return back to their other countries for international assignments arrived in the city to celebrate the six-run triumph against Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad; not even 24 hours from the win.