Bengaluru Stampede Tragedy: Tribunal Blames RCB for “Creating Nuisance” Without Permission

In the aftermath of a celebratory event gone horribly wrong, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has delivered a scathing verdict on the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise. Following RCB’s historic maiden IPL triumph, a massive gathering at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on June 4 spiraled into a deadly stampede that claimed 11 lives and injured more than 50. In a strongly worded order, CAT held the franchise responsible for “creating nuisance” by organizing a public celebration without obtaining mandatory permissions.

A Celebration Turned Tragic

What was meant to be a moment of joy and jubilation quickly devolved into panic and heartbreak. On June 4, the day after RCB clinched their first-ever IPL title, crowds swelled outside the stadium beyond control.

The police, already stretched thin from the previous night’s victory celebrations, were caught unprepared for the sea of fans that gathered following RCB’s social media announcements about a city-wide parade and in-stadium event.

Timeline of Events on June 4, 2025

These posts sparked a frenzy. Nearly three to five lakh people gathered around a venue that can officially hold only 35,000.

CAT’s Damning Observations

The two-member bench comprising Justice B.K. Shrivastava and Santosh Mehra made it clear: RCB and their event partner, DNA Entertainment Network Pvt Ltd, failed to follow the law. According to Bengaluru’s Licensing and Controlling of Assemblies and Public Procession Order (2009), organizers must apply for event permissions at least seven days in advance. No such application was filed.

Instead, RCB sent a letter to the Cubbon Park Police Station on the evening of June 3, merely informing the police about the possibility of celebrations. The tribunal called this “last-minute communication” insufficient and observed that the organizers “did not wait for the police response” and went ahead with the programme.

“RCB created the aforesaid type of nuisance without any prior permission,” the order read, adding that their social media announcements contributed to the uncontrollable crowd buildup.

Police Left Helpless

The tribunal also noted that the Bengaluru Police were unfairly blamed. Five senior officers, including IG Vikash Kumar, were suspended for alleged dereliction of duty. However, the CAT overturned these suspensions and ordered their reinstatement.

The bench defended the officers, remarking: “Police are also human beings. They are neither God (Bhagwan) nor magicians and do not possess the powers of ‘Alladin ka Chirag’ to fulfil any wish instantly.”

Further complicating the situation, the Karnataka government had also planned a felicitation ceremony for the team, adding more stress to an already overwhelmed force.

The Legal Standpoint

While RCB is not a party in the CAT proceedings, these observations may influence ongoing investigations by the Karnataka government.

Social Media’s Role in the Disaster

RCB’s posts, including those promising “free passes” for fans, failed to provide clear instructions or limits. The tribunal noted that while the posts advised fans to follow “police guidelines,” they offered no clarity on how passes would be distributed — implying an open invite.

This led to:

• Assumptions of open access
• Unmanageable crowd sizes
• Stampede conditions outside the stadium

The police, despite their best efforts, simply didn’t have the resources or time to contain the crowd within safe limits.

What’s Next?

As the judicial and governmental inquiries proceed, this tragic episode serves as a grim reminder of the importance of planning, permissions, and public safety in high-profile events. The CAT’s verdict has drawn a clear line of accountability — one that underscores the need for responsible celebration, even in the face of sporting glory.

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