Following the tragic stampede in Bengaluru after the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) IPL victory celebrations, a complaint has been filed against cricketer Virat Kohli. The incident, which occurred near the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, resulted in 11 fatalities and over 50 injuries, prompting widespread grief and investigations.
The complaint against Kohli was lodged by social activist HM Venkatesh at the Cubbon Park police station. Venkatesh alleges that Kohli's involvement in promoting the IPL contributed to the massive crowd that gathered for the victory celebrations, ultimately leading to the disaster. The activist further stated that the IPL promotes gambling, which incited the crowd. While the police have acknowledged the complaint, they have stated that it will be considered as part of the ongoing investigation into the stampede, and no separate FIR has been registered against Kohli.
The primary FIRs concerning the incident have been filed against RCB, the event organizer DNA Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), holding them responsible for alleged negligence and culpable homicide. Authorities claim that the victory celebration was organized without the necessary permissions. Specifically, the failure of Bengaluru police to communicate the denial of permission for the parade is being investigated. Nikhil Sosale, RCB's marketing head, was arrested while attempting to leave the city, and three staff members from DNA Entertainment have been detained. Sosale has approached the Karnataka High Court, claiming his arrest to be illegal.
Initial reports indicate that a temporary slab over a drain near the stadium collapsed under the weight of the crowd, causing panic and triggering the stampede. The victims included young men and women aged 13 to 35.
The Karnataka government has taken swift action, ordering a magisterial inquiry into the incident. Additionally, a judicial commission led by retired High Court judge John Michael Cunha has been formed to investigate the lapses in planning, coordination, and crowd management. The commission is expected to submit its report within a month. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the families of the deceased and has relieved his political secretary, K Govindaraj, from his post. Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda and four other senior officers have been suspended for lapses in crowd management.
The incident has drawn condolences from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who expressed his grief and offered prayers for the injured. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah acknowledged the unexpected size of the crowd, stating that the stadium, with a capacity of 35,000, was overwhelmed by an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 people.
