Bengaluru stampede: RCB marketing head Nikhil Sosale says arrest is illegal; blames CM’s directive

BENGALURU: Marketing head of Royal Challengers Sports Ltd, Nikhil Sosale , approached the high court stating that his arrest in the wee hours of Friday was based on chief minister Siddaramaiah’s oral instructions and was arbitrary and illegal.Sosale was arrested by city police in connection with the stampede at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, where 11 persons were killed and 75 injured during RCB’s IPL victory celebrations. Contesting his arrest in a petition before the Karnataka high court, Sosale revealed that an FIR was registered against him after a “late-night” cabinet meeting and after suo-motu proceedings were initiated by the high court.His counsel submitted that police inspector AK Girisha (investigating officer), who filed the FIR, was himself suspended.

“Arrest is the domain of the IO, and it cannot be done on instructions from a superior,” counsel said.In his petition, Nikhil alleged that the arrest “aims to redirect responsibility for the incident to RCB and its staff”. He noted that senior police officers were suspended for neglecting their duties and questioned the rush to arrest a private citizen like himself, before establishing individual roles through a complete investigation.

He also contended that his arrest at night violated his constitutional freedom under Article 19. He argued that the “hasty action reflected a predetermined agenda based on the chief minister’s directive, without a proper investigation of his specific involvement, disregarding natural justice principles”.Arguing for the state govt/ police, Advocate General Shashikiran Shetty said Sosale was apprehended early Friday while “attempting to leave the country”. After a brief hearing, Justice SR Krishna Kumar adjourned the hearing to June 9, indicating that interim relief will be considered after a statement of objections is filed by the state govt/police.

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