Bengaluru stampede survivor files case blaming RCB, state cricket body after injury

A 25-year-old man who survived the stampede outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on June 4 has filed a police complaint holding the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), and event organiser DNA Entertainment Networks Pvt. Ltd, responsible for the incident, which claimed eleven lives and left several others injured.

The survivor, a designer residing in Rajarajeshwari Nagar and employed at VP India Company, suffered a dislocated shoulder in the crowd crush near the stadium’s Gate No 17.

In the First Information Report (FIR), the complainant said the stampede occurred due to “negligence and poor planning” by the organisers and stadium authorities, alleging that large crowds were allowed without proper ticketing or control.

“The official X account and social media handles of the RCB franchise announced that a Victory Parade would be held at 3.00 pm,” the FIR notes, adding that the RCB team was expected to arrive from Ahmedabad and proceed to the stadium in an open bus before entering the venue.

The complainant said that various social media posts and news outlets spread information that tickets would be distributed at the stadium gates and that entry would be allowed even without tickets. Some posts also claimed that tickets would be sold online. Encouraged by this, the complainant reached Gate No 17 of Chinnaswamy Stadium at around 2.15 pm, accompanied by two friends, Rithik and Anirudh.

“Thousands of fans and RCB supporters had gathered there. Due to the heavy crowd, the police personnel opened the gate around 3.10 pm. As thousands of people rushed in at once and the gates were narrow, everyone tried to enter at the same time. In the chaos, due to the pressure and pushing, I slipped and fell. People coming from behind trampled those who had fallen. Some were seen to be unwell and fainting,” the complaint states.

The complainant said he suffered a dislocated shoulder joint while caught in the crush and was taken to VSH Hospital by bystanders, where he remains admitted. He alleged that no proper arrangements were made for crowd management and safety, and the resulting disorder had endangered lives.

“This entire incident occurred due to negligence by the RCB franchise, DNA, and the KSCA management, who failed to make proper arrangements and facilities. Their negligence led to life-threatening situations. Therefore, I request that appropriate legal action be taken against them,” the FIR states.

This is the second FIR registered in connection with the stampede.