'50-60 Died In Kumbh, I Didn't Criticise': CM Siddaramaiah After Bengaluru Stampede

Last Updated:June 05, 2025, 07:26 IST

A stampede during RCB's IPL victory celebrations near Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium left 11 dead and 33 injured. CM Siddaramaiah announced compensation and a magisterial probe.

A file photo of Siddaramaiah (L)/Visuals from the Bengaluru stampede (R) (Photos: PTI)

Hours after 11 people lost their lives in a stampede near Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he would not justify the mishap by drawing comparisons with similar tragedies elsewhere, like the Maha Kumbh Mela.

The Chief Minister further said he did not criticise when several people lost their lives in a stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj this year.

“Such incidents happened in so many places. I am not going to defend this by comparing it with them now by saying it happened here and there. In Kumbh Mela, 50-60 people died, I didn’t criticise it," the Chief Minister said, addressing the media over the stampede incident.

“If Congress criticises, then that is a different matter. Did I or the Karnataka government criticise?" he asked.

Siddaramaiah also expressed grief over the stampede incident and announced free treatment to those injured.

“A major tragedy occurred during the victory celebrations. It happened near the Chinnaswamy Stadium. The government has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the deceased. The government will provide free treatment to the injured," the Chief Minister said.

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Expressing deep sorrow over the incident, Siddaramaiah said, “11 died and 33 were injured in the stampede. This tragedy should not have happened. The government expresses deep sorrow over this incident."

Siddaramaiah further said that he had ordered a magisterial inquiry into the matter.

“I don’t want to defend this incident. Our government will not do politics on this. I have ordered a magisterial inquiry within 15 days. People even broke the gates of the stadium. There was a stampede. No one expected such a huge crowd. The stadium has a capacity of only 35,000 people, but nearly three lakh people came," Siddaramaiah said.

A massive crowd had gathered outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium to participate in the RCB team’s IPL victory celebrations.

The deceased were identified as Bhoomik (20), Sahana (19), Poornachand (32), Chinmayi (19), Divyanshi (13), Shravan (20), Devi (29), Shivaling (17), Manoj Kumar (33) and Akshata. One person, nearly 20 years old, is yet to be identified.

RCB won their maiden IPL title with a six-run victory over Punjab Kings in the final at Ahmedabad on Tuesday, ending an 18-year wait. The team had finally got to lift the trophy after finishing runners-up on three occasions previously.

ALSO READ | Bengaluru Stampede Survivors Recount Horror: ‘People Stamped With Shoes All Over Me’

Vani Mehrotra

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

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