Event Organiser Challenges Justice Cunha's Chinaswamy Stadium Stampede Report In Karnataka HC

Last Updated:July 24, 2025, 19:31 IST

DNA Entertainment has asked the Karnataka High Court to dismiss Justice Cunha's report on the Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede, which found negligence by RCB and KSCA.

Footwear outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium following a stampede after a large number of fans gathered for the felicitation of IPL 2025 winning Royal Challengers Bengaluru team. (PTI)

DNA Entertainment, the company responsible for organising the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) victory celebrations, has filed a petition with the Karnataka High Court seeking to quash the report submitted by Justice Michael D. Cunha concerning the stampede at Chinnaswamy Stadium.

The petition, filed by DNA Entertainment’s Sunil Matthew, was mentioned before a High Court division bench comprising Justice Jayant Banerji and Justice S.G. Pandit. Justice Cunha submitted his report on the stampede on July 11. DNA Entertainment has requested a stay on any action taken based on the report’s findings.

Sunil Mathew has questioned both the content of the commission’s report and the process by which it was prepared, alleging that it was drafted with the singular aim of assigning blame. The petition contends that the Commission failed to share critical documents with the organisers and that several parts of the report are contrary to the principles of natural justice.

The plea claimed that the Commission was formed by the state government to avoid accountability and has asked the High Court to stay any action based on the report. The case will be heard by a division bench of Justice Jayant Banerjee and Justice SG Pandit on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka cabinet on Thursday accepted Justice John Michael D’Cunha’s report on the stampede near Chinnaswamy stadium here on June 4 that killed 11 people and injured many.

The cabinet also decided that it will initiate action against private organisations that were involved in holding the RCB victory celebration, Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil told PTI after the meeting.

“The cabinet has decided to accept Justice John Michael D’Cunha’s report and take legal action on its basis," he said.

The legal action will be against private associations and companies such as the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and DNA Entertainment Networks.

He further said that whoever is responsible for the stampede and negligence has been indicated in Justice D’Cunha report.

In his report submitted to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the commission found “gross negligence and dereliction of duty" by all key stakeholders. Despite knowing that safe crowd management was not possible, the event was allowed to proceed. The situation worsened due to a simultaneous state government function at Vidhana Soudha, located less than a kilometre away, India Today reported.

The report highlighted significant failures in planning, coordination, and crowd management. It noted that despite expecting a massive turnout, only 79 police personnel were deployed inside the stadium, and none were posted outside. No ambulances were stationed at the site. The report also pointed out that top police officials, including the city police commissioner, were reportedly informed well after the tragedy unfolded.

CM Siddaramaiah ordered the judicial probe on June 5, a day after the tragedy took place.

Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda and Additional Commissioner (West) Vikash Kumar Vikash were among those who were suspended following the stampede.

The incident took place during a victory parade organised by the RCB franchise after their successful IPL campaign. A massive crowd gathered outside the stadium, leading to stampede.

Location :

Karnataka, India, India

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