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Expressing grief over the death of 11 RCB fans outside the stadium in Bengaluru, CM Siddaramaiah set up a magisterial inquiry into the event
On June 4, 2025, a tragic stampede occurred during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) victory parade outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, resulting in at least 11 fatalities and over 50 injuries.
The incident prompted the Karnataka High Court to take suo motu cognizance, initiating a judicial inquiry into the matter.
The stampede unfolded when an unexpected surge of over 200,000 fans gathered outside the stadium, far exceeding the anticipated crowd of 100,000. The chaos intensified as fans attempted to enter through a single gate, leading to overcrowding and subsequent fatalities. Eyewitnesses reported that emergency services faced challenges reaching victims due to the dense crowd.
In response to the tragedy, the Karnataka High Court took suo motu cognizance, ordering a judicial inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the stampede. The court emphasized the need for accountability and preventive measures to avoid such incidents in the future.
The incident has sparked political controversy, with opposition parties holding the Congress-led Karnataka government responsible for inadequate planning and crowd mismanagement. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and BJP leaders criticized the government’s rush to organize the event without sufficient safety preparations. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar defended the administration, stating that preparations for 100,000 attendees were overwhelmed when the crowd surged to over 200,000.
In response to the incident, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh for the families of the deceased and free medical treatment for the injured. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) expressed regret over the tragedy, attributing it to inadequate safety measures and emphasizing the need for better planning at large public events.
The Bengaluru stampede serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of meticulous planning and coordination in organizing large-scale public events. The Karnataka High Court’s intervention underscores the judiciary’s role in ensuring accountability and implementing measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
