Bengaluru | 5 June 2025
FIR Names Franchise, KSCA and Event Firm
Bengaluru’s Cubbon Park police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) for criminal negligence against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Administrative Committee, and DNA Entertainment Networks, the company that staged the celebrations following RCB’s maiden IPL title win.
How the Tragedy Unfolded
The case stems from the 4 June stampede outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during a planned open top bus victory parade. A massive surge of supporters attempting to enter through Gate 7 led to chaos and a crush that left 11 fans dead and 56 injured, according to police figures.
Allegations of Negligence
Investigators say preliminary evidence points to inadequate crowd-control plans, insufficient medical stations and a shortage of exit routes. The FIR cites “criminal negligence” and names senior officials of all three organisations for failing to put in place “reasonable safety precautions” for a crowd estimated at more than 400,000 four times the expected attendance.
Legal Provisions and Next Steps
Police sources say the offences are likely to be booked under Indian Penal Code sections dealing with death caused by negligence (304-A) and endangering lives of others (337/338). Statements from eyewitnesses, CCTV footage and event-management documents have been seized; individual executives may be added as accused once roles are fixed. A special investigation team (SIT) headed by a deputy commissioner of police has been formed and must submit its first status report within two weeks.
Karnataka High Court Steps In
Taking suo motu cognisance, the Karnataka High Court has converted the matter into a public-interest litigation and ordered the state government to file a detailed account of safety lapses and the measures planned to avert future tragedies by 10 June.
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Compensation and Relief Efforts
RCB announced an immediate ₹10 lakh ex-gratia payment to each bereaved family and launched the “RCB Cares” fund to cover medical bills for the injured. The state government has matched the compensation and promised jobs to one dependent from each family.
Political Fallout
Opposition parties have blamed the Congress-led Karnataka government for allowing the parade without robust safety planning, while Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar insisted preparations for 100,000 fans were overwhelmed when numbers quadrupled after a social-media call went viral.
SIT Probe: Forensic mapping of the venue and timeline reconstruction.
Liability Hearings: Magistrate will decide on custodial interrogation of officials once the charge sheet is filed.
Safety Review: KSCA must submit a revised standard-operating procedure before hosting any further matches this season.
Fans, civic activists and legal experts say the outcome could set a precedent for holding sports franchises directly accountable for crowd disasters in India.
