Stampede and deaths: Who is accountable?

RCB fans trying to gain entry into M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday. A scene from outside one of the stadium gates.
| Photo Credit: K. MURALI KUMAR

On June 4, 2025, a tragedy struck Bengaluru when a stampede at the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) stadium claimed the lives of 11 Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) supporters and left at least 47 hospitalised. What should have been a moment of jubilation turned into one of mourning. Predictably, a magisterial inquiry has been ordered, but experience shows little faith remains in such mechanisms. Rarely are corrective actions taken or accountability fixed, let alone exemplary punishment meted out.

Unilateral decision

At the root of this calamity lies the RCB management’s unilateral decision to announce a victory parade via social media, without consulting the State government or the Commissioner of Police. Once the social media post went viral, thousands of fans thronged the stadium and the Vidhana Soudha area, making any attempt by the authorities to countermand the announcement both futile and potentially more chaotic.

Cricket in India is more than just a sport — it is a religion, a craze, a passion. As such, cricketing bodies like the BCCI, IPL governing council, State associations, and franchises like RCB wield extraordinary influence. RCB, valued at $110 million and boasting 21 million Instagram followers, is the most popular franchise in the IPL. The BCCI earned ₹5,761 crore in surplus IPL revenue in 2023–24, which was 59% of its total income. This financial muscle translates into unchecked power. But does this mean they operate above public accountability?

Let’s not forget that RCB is a franchise — a commercial entity that happens to be headquartered in Bengaluru and owned by United Spirits, a city-based company. It has little organic connection to Karnataka apart from its name and the presence of just two players from the State. That being the case, how did the State government become a stakeholder in hosting celebrations, and why was the Vidhana Soudha — the seat of governance — chosen as a venue?

Power and fandom

Naturally, the fans responded in droves, and it’s reported that the stretch from Vidhana Soudha to KSCA stadium — a 2-km corridor — was a sea of humanity. It is disturbing to note that multiple senior government leaders reportedly brought their grandchildren for photo-ops with RCB celebrities at such a volatile venue. The symbolism of power and fandom merging at the cost of public safety is deeply troubling.

As for the police, their hands were tied. On the night of June 3–4, RCB clinched their victory well past midnight, sparking celebrations across the city. With crackers going off and crowds pouring into the streets, the city police were already stretched to their limits. After a sleepless night, many personnel likely returned home on the morning of June 4, unaware of the storm brewing.

The police usually prepare a detailed ‘bandobust scheme’ for major events — assessing crowd volumes, assigning officer duties, and planning for crime prevention, law and order, traffic, and emergency responses. But such planning requires time and coordination. The surprise announcement by RCB management made all this impossible. It is also reported that there was a suggestion to hold the celebration on Sunday, June 8, but it was rejected — perhaps in haste, perhaps in arrogance.

RCB’s victory was indeed hard-fought and deserving. But this celebration-turned-tragedy has left a deep scar — not just on the memories of fans but on the credibility of the government and cricketing authorities alike. No amount of compensation can restore the lives lost. And unless real accountability is enforced, the cycle of tragedy and inaction will only continue.

(The author is a die-hard cricket fan and former Director-General and Inspector-General of Police)