Bengaluru stampede: Tribunal says police not 'Aladdin ka Chirag'; blames RCB for chaos

NEW DELHI: The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) on Tuesday observed that, prima facie, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) appeared to be responsible for the stampede that took place in Bengaluru on June 4, LiveLaw reported.

The tribunal observed that the police cannot be expected to make all necessary arrangements within just 12 hours, noting that they do not possess "magical powers like Aladdin's lamp."The tribunal criticised the IPL franchise for announcing their victory celebrations without police clearance, triggering a crowd surge that killed 11 people and injured dozens more outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium.The tribunal, which quashed the suspension of senior IPS officer Vikash Kumar Vikash, cited the suddenness with which RCB announced its IPL victory celebration as the trigger for the chaos.

According to LiveLaw, the tribunal observed, “Therefore, prima facie it appears that the RCB is responsible for the gathering of about three to five lakh people. The RCB did not take the appropriate permission or consent from the Police.

Suddenly, they posted on social media platforms and as a result... the public were gathered."The judgement sharply criticised the lack of coordination, adding that the police had not been given enough time to prepare, “Because of shortage of time on 04.06.2026, the Police was unable to do the appropriate arrangements...

It cannot be expected from the Police that within a short time of about 12 hours the Police will make all arrangements... Police personnel are also human beings. They are neither 'God' (Bhagwan) nor Magician and also not having the magic powers like 'Alladdin ka Chirag' which was able to fulfil any wish only by rubbing a finger,” the tribunal observed, as quoted by LiveLaw.The suspension of Vikash and other senior officers by the Karnataka government came under intense scrutiny after reports suggested that RCB and event organisers bypassed standard protocols.

The government had claimed that while RCB CEO had sent an intimation to the Police Commissioner on June 3, no formal approval was granted. Still, RCB and the Karnataka State Cricket Association went ahead, issuing open invites via social media.The tribunal’s decision comes as a significant setback to the state government, which had initially blamed police inaction for the disaster. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had previously criticised the intelligence wing, asking: “What is the use of the intelligence department if they cannot provide timely and accurate information?”A criminal case was registered against RCB officials, the KSCA, and DNA Entertainment. Several event organisers were arrested but later granted interim bail.Meanwhile, the Karnataka high court continues to hear a suo motu case into the tragedy. The court is also examining compensation pledges made to victims’ families, with the next hearing scheduled for July 1.