In a significant development following the tragic stampede outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, which claimed 11 lives and injured dozens, Bengaluru police have arrested Nikhil Sosale, the Head of Marketing and Revenue for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The arrest, made at Kempegowda International Airport as Sosale was reportedly attempting to fly to Mumbai, comes amidst mounting pressure on the organizers of the ill-fated IPL victory celebration.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, June 4, when a massive crowd gathered to witness RCB’s maiden Indian Premier League title win. What was intended to be a joyous occasion quickly descended into chaos as the sheer volume of people overwhelmed security arrangements and crowd management protocols, leading to a deadly crush.
Sources indicate that an FIR (First Information Report) has been lodged against RCB, the event management company DNA Entertainment Networks Private Limited, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). The charges include culpable homicide not amounting to murder, unlawful assembly, and endangering public safety under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Along with Sosale, three employees of DNA Entertainment Networks Private Limited – Senior Event Manager Kiran Kumar, Vice President of Business Affairs Sunil Mathew, and another employee Sumanth – have also been detained for questioning. The arrests follow a stern directive from Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who announced that officials responsible for organizing the event would face legal action.
The Chief Minister also confirmed the immediate suspension of several top police officials, including Bengaluru Police Commissioner B. Dayananda, citing negligence and failure in crowd management. The Karnataka High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the incident, directing the state government to submit a comprehensive status report.
Adding another layer to the investigation, a one-man judicial commission headed by retired Karnataka High Court judge Justice Michael D’Cunha has been appointed to probe the incident and identify lapses in planning, coordination, and crowd control. This commission has been tasked with submitting its report within 30 days. Furthermore, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has taken over the overall investigation.
Preliminary reports suggest that the victory parade and celebration were organized despite a clear denial of permission by police authorities, who had expressed concerns about the feasibility of managing such a large gathering within the given timeframe. The FIR reportedly alleges that organizers failed to implement adequate barricades or crowd-control measures, both inside and outside the stadium, which contributed significantly to the stampede.
The tragedy has cast a somber shadow over RCB’s historic win, sparking widespread public outrage and questions about accountability in handling large-scale public events. While RCB has expressed deep anguish and pledged financial assistance to the families of the deceased and injured, the ongoing arrests and inquiries underscore the gravity of the situation and the determination of authorities to bring those responsible to justice. The focus now remains on the unfolding investigation and the measures that will be implemented to prevent such heartbreaking incidents in the future.