BJP MLC alleges Karnataka government hiding contents of D’Cunha report on Bengaluru stampede to save face

BJP MLC and KSCA Shivamogga zone convener D.S. Arun has alleged that the government of Karnataka is hiding the findings of the Justice Michael D’Cunha report on the stampede at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru to save face. Eleven cricket fans died in the stampede on June 4, 2025.

Addressing a press conference in Shivamogga on January 14, Mr. Arun questioned the delay in releasing the report in the public domain. “Certainly, the judge, who investigated the incident, must have taken note of the mistakes of the government that led to the tragic incident on June 4, a day after RCB won the IPL cup for the first time. The Chief Minister and DCM held the programme on the grand steps of Vidhana Soudha, where their family members participated. Later, without proper preparation and security, the programme was held in the KSCA stadium,” he alleged.

The government blamed DNA Network, the event management company, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) for the incident. Officials of the RCB were arrested.

“Now, the RCB has expressed a wish to move to Pune. So far, none from the government have come forward to convince them to stay in Bengaluru. If the RCB moves out of Karnataka, the move will adversely impact cricket in the State, and also hit the excise revenue,” he stated.

Mr. Arun urged the Chief Minister to ensure that M. Chinnaswamy cricket stadium, where more than 100 IPL matches and hundreds of international matches had been held, retains its glory. “The stadium stands among the top cricket stadiums in the country and abroad. The State Government and the KSCA should focus on improving the facilities and ensuring safety as per the recommendations of the judicial probe,” he added.