No Coercive Action Against Karnataka Cricket Body As HC Grants Relief In Bengaluru Stampede Case

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Last Updated:June 06, 2025, 16:16 IST

In its writ petition, the KSCA argued that the government is attempting to shift blame onto the association to deflect public outrage over the stampede.

A section of the crowd outside Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday. Pic/PTI

The Karnataka High Court on Friday granted interim protection from coercive action against Karnataka State Cricket Body (KSCA) after they approached the high court challenging the state government’s decision to file an FIR against its office-bearers in connection with the stampede near Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

A single judge bench of Justice S R Krishna Kumar while hearing the writ petition filed by KSCA President Raghuram Bhat, Secretary A Shankar and Treasurer, E S Jairam, however said that the probe would continue in the case.

In its writ petition, the KSCA argued that the government is attempting to shift blame onto the association to deflect public outrage over the stampede. The association further claimed that crowd management was not its responsibility and that the FIR was unjustified.

The cricket body also pointed out that the suspension of police officers following the incident is an admission of failure on the part of the authorities.

The bench adjourned the hearing till June 16.

Subsequently, Marketing and Revenue Head of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Nikhil Sosale, also challenged his arrest in the High Court.

Sosale was arrested today morning by the Bengaluru Police while he was on his way to Dubai.

The High Court adjourned the hearing till June 9 and till then Nikhil would remain in the custody.

KSCA’s legal move came a day after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had ordered the arrest of representatives from the RCB team, the event management firm DNA Entertainment Private Limited, and the KSCA itself. This followed the registration of an FIR against them on various charges, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Siddaramaiah had instructed the state’s Director General of Police (DGP) and Inspector General of Police (IGP) to arrest the representatives of RCB, DNA Event Management, and KSCA without delay.

The FIR was filed following a complaint by a police inspector at the Cubbon Park Police Station, according to officials.

The charges listed in the FIR include voluntarily causing hurt (Section 115), causing hurt or grievous hurt by using dangerous weapons or means (Section 118), causing hurt or grievous hurt to deter a public servant from duty (Section 121), and unlawful assembly (Section 190) under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

What Happened At Chinnaswamy Stadium?

A massive crowd gathered to celebrate Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) first Indian Premier League (IPL) title turned tragic on Wednesday evening when a stampede near M Chinnaswamy Stadium left 11 dead and over 30 injured.

Authorities said most of the victims were young men and women, including several students.

Siddaramaiah highlighted the scale of the crowd, saying the stadium’s capacity is 35,000, but 200,000 to 300,000 people had gathered. “The match was held yesterday (Tuesday), and today (Wednesday) this event was organised by the cricket association, so no one expected such a huge turnout," he said.

RCB ended an 18-year wait for the IPL trophy after defeating Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Bengaluru. Post their win, the team arrived in Bengaluru for a felicitation ceremony. Fans had arrived in large numbers to catch a glimpse of their champion team.

Shobhit Gupta

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ...Read More

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