Permission denied for cricket match at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru

The Karnataka government has denied permission to the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) to hold a match of the Vijay Hazare Trophy on December 24 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

On December 23, City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh announced the government’s decision. “Following the stampede during the victory celebrations of Royal Challengers Bengaluru in June, that killed 11 persons, Justice Michael D’Cunha had made some recommendations. The police had also made some recommendations and put down a list of 17 corrective measures. Since none of them have been implemented, permission is denied,” Mr. Singh said.

KSCA had requested the government to allow the Vijay Hazare Trophy match between Delhi and Andhra Pradesh to be held at the Stadium, atleast without any audience. Virat Kohli, the star player of RCB was supposed to play in this match for Delhi.

Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara had formed a six member committee led by Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao to inspect the Stadium and submit a report on Monday. The inspection was conducted on Monday afternoon, report submitted late night and based on these reports, a decision was taken on Tuesday morning, not to allow the match to be held at the Stadium, sources said.