Karnataka government holds Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) partly responsible for the Bengaluru stampede. Virat Kohli also mentioned in the official report.

Karnataka Blames RCB Event for Bengaluru Stampede: Virat Kohli Cited in Report

A tragic stampede in Bengaluru has triggered a political storm and public outcry, with the Karnataka government pointing fingers at the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise. The incident, which took place during a high-profile event in the city, led to multiple casualties and injuries. In a surprising twist, star cricketer Virat Kohli’s name has also been mentioned in the official inquiry report, further fueling media scrutiny and political reactions.

What Happened During the Bengaluru Stampede?

The incident occurred during a public gathering organized near a major commercial venue in Bengaluru. The event, which was reportedly associated with the RCB fan meet-up and celebration, attracted thousands of people. Due to inadequate crowd control, lack of barricading, and limited entry-exit points, a massive rush ensued, turning into a deadly stampede.

Preliminary reports suggest the venue was overcrowded far beyond its legal capacity, and there were serious lapses in planning and crowd management. Eyewitnesses describe a scene of chaos, with many people fainting due to suffocation and a stampede breaking out as crowds tried to exit en masse.

Government Inquiry Points to RCB and Event Organizers

Following the incident, the Karnataka government formed a fact-finding committee to investigate the causes behind the stampede. The interim report, which was submitted to the Chief Minister’s office, explicitly points to the RCB franchise and its promotional partners as being partly responsible for the mismanagement.

The report states:

“There was no coordination with local police authorities for crowd management. The organizers, affiliated with the RCB promotional campaign, failed to ensure basic safety protocols… The overwhelming crowd was drawn primarily due to the participation of high-profile individuals such as Virat Kohli.”

The mention of Virat Kohli, though not suggesting any direct wrongdoing, underscores the magnetic draw he holds over fans. According to the report, Kohli’s anticipated presence at the event led to an uncontrollable surge in attendance, far beyond what the organizers were prepared for.

Political Fallout and Public Reaction

The tragedy has triggered widespread criticism of both the event organizers and the state administration. Opposition leaders have accused the Congress-led Karnataka government of shifting blame to divert attention from administrative failures.

A senior BJP leader said:

“This is not about cricket or celebrities. The government failed in its responsibility to monitor large gatherings. They’re now blaming a cricket franchise to escape accountability.”

Meanwhile, several citizens and netizens have taken to social media, expressing anger over the preventable nature of the incident. Many have questioned the role of the Bengaluru civic body and the police, asking why no prior crowd control measures were in place despite knowing the popularity of such events.

In response to the allegations, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru franchise issued a statement expressing deep sorrow over the tragedy and denying any direct organizational role in the event. According to RCB’s spokesperson:

“We are heartbroken by the unfortunate incident. However, the event in question was organized by a third-party fan club with which RCB has no operational involvement. Any mention of our players, including Mr. Kohli, was purely promotional and not indicative of actual attendance.”

RCB also stated that they would cooperate fully with the investigation and would review all future fan engagement activities to prioritize safety.

Virat Kohli’s name has emerged in the inquiry primarily due to his anticipated presence, which was widely publicized through unofficial fan pages and social media buzz. However, reports confirm that Kohli was not physically present at the event.

His team has remained silent on the matter so far, likely waiting for the inquiry to be completed. Legal experts suggest that unless there’s proof of direct involvement or promotion, Kohli is unlikely to face any legal consequences.

Nevertheless, his name being included in a government report has stirred headlines, bringing renewed attention to how celebrity appearances — or even rumors thereof — can drastically impact crowd behavior.

This incident has brought to light broader issues regarding event safety, over-commercialization, and inadequate infrastructure in Indian cities. Bengaluru, known for its tech parks and growing urban population, often hosts high-profile events, but safety protocols have lagged behind.

Experts are calling for:

Mandatory crowd capacity audits
Real-time crowd monitoring systems
Coordination between private organizers and public agencies
Accountability for unauthorized promotions involving public figures

The Bengaluru stampede has claimed lives and exposed critical gaps in urban event planning. While the Karnataka government has laid part of the blame on RCB and named Virat Kohli in its inquiry, the truth is likely a mix of poor coordination, lack of preparedness, and the explosive impact of celebrity culture. As investigations continue, one thing is clear: this tragedy could — and should — have been prevented.