RCB Held Responsible by Karnataka Government for Bengaluru Stampede

In a recent report, the Karnataka government has directly implicated Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the deadly stampede that occurred during their victory parade in Bengaluru. The incident, which took place outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, led to 11 fatalities and many injuries. The government’s report, submitted to the High Court, stated that RCB organized the parade without necessary permissions. The report specifically noted a video featuring Virat Kohli, which encouraged fans to attend the free celebration. This invitation is believed to have significantly increased the crowd size, despite police denial for the event. The organizers, DNA Entertainment Networks Pvt Ltd, had not obtained the required permissions, as mandated by a 2009 city order. The announcement regarding passes added to the confusion. The report cited poor coordination between RCB, the KSCA, and DNA Entertainment Networks Pvt Ltd, as well as inadequate crowd management, as key factors. Following the stampede, the government initiated inquiries, filed FIRs, and took disciplinary action.