'RCB has lakhs of cricket fans': Letter to Karnataka govt shows warning was issued before stampede; new revelation puts pressure on administration

BENGALURU: A senior police officer had raised red flags over the lack of security personnel and potential crowd control issues just hours before a stampede killed 11 people outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory celebration on Wednesday.According to official letter accessed by the TOI, MN Karibasavana Gowda, who oversees legislature security, issued a written warning to the state government on the morning of the event. In a letter addressed to G Sathyavathi, Secretary of the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms, Gowda cautioned against holding a felicitation at the Vidhana Soudha due to anticipated large crowds and insufficient police deployment.“RCB has a fan following nationwide and lakhs of cricket fans will come to Vidhana Soudha if we organise a programme on the grand steps. Since there is a shortage of security personnel, making bandobust arrangements will be a problem,” the officer wrote. This fresh revelation now puts further pressure on the state govt, which is already in the eye of a storm for allegedly prioritising optics over public safety.Fallout and resignationsThe revelation has intensified public scrutiny of the Karnataka government, which is already facing criticism for allegedly prioritising optics over safety during the celebrations.

On Saturday, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) announced that it had accepted the resignations of two of its senior officials—Secretary A Shankar and Treasurer E S Jairam—who stepped down, taking moral responsibility for the tragedy. The decision was taken at an emergency meeting convened by KSCA president Raghuram Bhat.“They placed a letter of resignation in front of the committee, which was accepted after acknowledging the work they have done over the last two and half years,” Bhat told reporters.While Bhat did not disclose the names of interim replacements, sources said MS Vinay and Manjunatha Raju are the frontrunners for the roles. The current managing committee’s term ends on September 30, with elections due in October or November.Legal action and investigationAn FIR has been registered against the KSCA in connection with the stampede. Bhat said the association would fully cooperate with ongoing investigations.“It is a very delicate issue. When the appropriate time comes, I myself will call all of you and give detailed information,” he said, adding that some senior police officials had visited the KSCA office during the day as part of the investigation process.“We have already informed the government and the honourable High Court that we will cooperate fully with the enquiry. We will never shy away from anything.”Bhat ruled out dissolving the entire managing committee despite mounting pressure.“Nothing of the sort. The game must go on, and that is why the emergency meeting was held. Rest all is fine at the moment,” he said.Bengaluru stampedeThe stampede, which occurred as lakhs of cricket fans gathered to celebrate RCB’s first IPL title win, left 11 dead and 75 injured. The incident triggered outrage and raised serious questions about event planning, crowd management, and safety oversight by both the state administration and KSCA.