The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken decisive action following the tragic stampede in Bengaluru during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) IPL victory celebrations. The incident, which occurred on June 4th outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, resulted in the loss of 11 lives and left 33 others injured, prompting widespread concern and scrutiny regarding safety measures at large public gatherings.
In response, the BCCI convened its 28th Apex Council Meeting on Saturday, June 14, 2025, where it was decided to form a three-member committee tasked with formulating comprehensive guidelines to prevent similar incidents in the future. The committee is composed of BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, who will serve as chairperson, along with vice-president Rajeev Shukla, and treasurer Prabhtej Singh Bhatia. This committee has been given a deadline of 15 days to draft these new safety protocols.
The decision to form the committee reflects the BCCI's acknowledgment of the need for standardized safety measures at post-match celebrations and public events. The Apex Council expressed its profound grief over the tragic events in both Ahmedabad, in reference to a recent air crash that claimed many lives, and Bengaluru. The council recognizes the critical importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of fans who gather to celebrate their favorite teams.
The newly formed committee's mandate includes developing guidelines that address key aspects of crowd management, stadium capacity, emergency protocols, and coordination with local authorities. These guidelines are expected to provide a framework for state cricket associations, IPL teams, and other stakeholders to plan and execute victory celebrations in a safe and responsible manner.
The tragedy in Bengaluru unfolded when an estimated 2.5 lakh fans thronged the area around the M Chinnaswamy Stadium to celebrate RCB's maiden IPL title win. The sheer volume of people overwhelmed security measures, leading to a stampede at the stadium gates. The event had already faced challenges, including the denial of permission for an open-bus parade by the Bengaluru Police. Despite this, a felicitation ceremony was held at the Vidhana Soudha by the Karnataka Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister before the team proceeded to the stadium, where the situation deteriorated.
In the aftermath, several actions have been taken, including arrests of RCB's head of marketing and officials from DNA Entertainment, the event partner. Furthermore, the secretary and treasurer of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) have stepped down, taking moral responsibility for the incident. The Karnataka government has also held RCB and the BCCI accountable, citing lapses in planning and crowd management. The Karnataka High Court has also formed a single judge (retired) commission to probe into the matter as FIRs have been registered against RCB and the state cricket association.
The BCCI's intervention with the formation of this committee signals a commitment to learning from the Bengaluru tragedy and implementing measures to prevent future occurrences. The guidelines developed by the committee will likely influence how victory celebrations are organized across India, with a greater emphasis on safety, crowd control, and collaboration between organizers and local authorities.
In addition to addressing safety concerns, the BCCI's Apex Council meeting also covered other important matters. These included confirming venues for India's upcoming home white-ball series against New Zealand in early 2026 and approving the domestic season for 2025-26, which will include changes to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Senior Women's T20 Trophy.
