Bengaluru Stampede Tragedy: CM Siddaramaiah Suspends Top Cops, Orders Judicial and CID Probes After 11 Deaths at RCB Event
Bengaluru Stampede: CM Siddaramaiah Suspends Top Police Officials, Orders Judicial and CID Probes into Tragic RCB Celebration Incident
In a significant development following the tragic stampede in Bengaluru that claimed the lives of at least 11 people and left 47 injured, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has taken stringent action against top police officials and organisers involved in the incident. The stampede occurred near the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4 during the victory celebrations of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) after their IPL win, drawing massive crowds to the venue.
Reacting to public outrage and the gravity of the tragedy, CM Siddaramaiah announced the immediate suspension of several senior police officials, including Bengaluru Commissioner of Police B. Dayananda, Additional Commissioner of Police, Cubbon Park Police Inspector Girish A.K., Station House Officer, Station House Master, ACP Balakrishna of that zone, Central Division DCP H.T. Shekar, and the officer in charge of stadium security. These suspensions come in the wake of clear lapses in crowd management and security arrangements that directly contributed to the deadly stampede.
In a bid to ensure accountability and transparency, the Karnataka government has appointed a one-man judicial commission headed by retired High Court Judge Justice John Michael D’Cunha. The commission has been tasked with conducting a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident and is expected to submit its findings within 30 days. In addition to the judicial probe, the Chief Minister has also ordered a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) inquiry to unearth any criminal negligence or lapses by the concerned authorities and organisers.
Taking further action, the government has directed the arrest of representatives from Royal Challengers Bengaluru, DNA Entertainment Networks (event managers), and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) if found responsible for the incident. An FIR has already been registered at Cubbon Park Police Station against RCB, DNA Entertainment Networks, the KSCA Administrative Committee, and others. The FIR includes charges of criminal negligence, holding them accountable for the chaos and poor crowd control that led to the loss of innocent lives.
In a public statement, CM Siddaramaiah reiterated the government’s commitment to justice and assured that those found guilty, whether individuals or organisations, would face the full force of the law. He emphasized that such lapses cannot be overlooked and promised systemic improvements to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
In response to the heartbreaking incident, Royal Challengers Bengaluru has announced an ex gratia payment of ₹10 lakh each to the families of the 11 deceased victims. The franchise also stated that it is setting up a special relief initiative called “RCB Cares” to provide assistance to those who were injured during the stampede. The team expressed deep sorrow and solidarity, affirming that their fans are central to their identity and operations.
However, the incident has sparked political controversy as well. BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan strongly criticized the Karnataka state government, accusing it of negligence and failure to manage the large crowd despite knowing the high enthusiasm around RCB’s victory celebration. She also pointed out the hypocrisy of the government, comparing its earlier criticisms of the Uttar Pradesh government’s handling of the Kumbh Mela with the current tragedy. Union Minister Giriraj Singh went a step further, demanding the resignation of CM Siddaramaiah, stating that the chief minister must take moral responsibility for the preventable deaths.
The Bengaluru stampede tragedy has sent shockwaves across the country and highlighted the urgent need for better crowd management and accountability in public events. With multiple investigations now underway and high-profile suspensions already in motion, all eyes are on the findings of the judicial and CID probes to determine the full scope of failures and ensure justice for the victims and their families.
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