The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has held Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) "responsible" for the stampede that occurred in Bengaluru on June 4, 2025, which tragically resulted in 11 deaths. The tribunal's order stated that RCB's social media post inviting fans to a victory celebration drew a massive crowd to the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, leaving police with insufficient time to prepare appropriate safety arrangements.

The CAT ruling came as it revoked the suspension of IPS officer Vikash Kumar Vikash, who was the Additional Commissioner of Police (West) at the time of the incident. The tribunal directed the Karnataka government to reinstate him to his previous position, observing that his suspension was ordered "in a mechanical manner" and "without any sufficient material or grounds". The CAT also expressed its expectation that the government would extend the same benefit to other officers suspended in connection with the stampede, including former city police commissioner B. Dayananda, former DCP (Central) H.T. Shekhar, former Cubbon Park ACP Balakrishna, and former Cubbon Park inspector Girish.

In its order, the CAT emphasized that RCB did not obtain the necessary permission or consent from the police before publicizing the event. The tribunal noted the sudden nature of RCB's social media announcement and the resulting rapid gathering of a large crowd. It acknowledged the immense pressure faced by the police, stating that they are "neither 'God' nor magicians" with the ability to instantly manage such a large gathering. They do not possess "Alladdin ka Chirag" (Alladin's lamp) to fulfill any wish by rubbing a finger.

The tribunal's stance is that RCB bears primary responsibility for the chaos and subsequent stampede due to the team's failure to seek proper authorization and the spontaneous nature of their social media invitation. The lack of coordination between RCB and the police department appears to be a central factor in the tribunal's decision. The large gathering, estimated to be between 3 to 5 lakh people, overwhelmed the available resources and led to the tragic loss of life.

The Karnataka government is likely to challenge the CAT's order in the High Court. The state's Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, had personally announced the suspension of the officers at a press conference, indicating the government's initial stance on accountability. The CAT's decision is a setback for the government, raising questions about the process and justification for the suspensions.

The incident has sparked debate about the responsibilities of event organizers, the role of social media in public gatherings, and the capacity of law enforcement to manage large crowds. The CAT's ruling underscores the importance of obtaining necessary permissions, coordinating with authorities, and implementing adequate safety measures when organizing public events, especially those that are likely to attract large crowds.