Bengaluru stampede: Seers say cops suspended for political mistakes, seek probe
A delegation of seers in Karnataka has filed a complaint with the Enforcement Directorate (ED), accusing the RCB management and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) of financial irregularities and misuse of public funds during the IPL celebrations.In the complaint, the Swamijis under the Athi Hindulida Mathadheeshara Sabha, alleged that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) used the event for self-branding and image-building, spending thousands of crores in the process. They also demanded a probe into RCB's financial transactions.advertisementAlongside RCB, the KSCA has been accused of misreporting accounts, failing to audit government and BCCI funds, and illegally accumulating wealth. The complaint claims that crores owed to commercial firms remain unpaid and that funds collected for the celebration were diverted elsewhere.
In a separate development, the same federation filed a complaint at the Cubbon Park Police Station, holding the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Home Minister, and RCB management responsible for the stampede that led to the death of 11 people during the June 4 celebration.Speaking to reporters, Pranavananda Swamiji, state president of the federation, said, 'Bengaluru is making its mark across the world, and we want to send out a clear message: even Swamijis have responsibilities, we can't just sit and watch. That's why we are here today.'advertisement'On the evening of June 4, when RCB won the IPL, the Karnataka government had no direct involvement. True fans of the state and its language should not be misled. Despite this, a government-sponsored celebration was held at the Vidhana Soudha. While Chinnaswamy Stadium holds only 35,000 people, over 10 lakh gathered. Key ministers had informed people a day in advance, drawing poor children and fans who came to see the team.' he said.The government should have prioritised safety, not political credit,' he said, adding that the suspension of officers was not an adequate response.The delegation has demanded a thorough investigation and strict action against those responsible.Tune InMust Watch
IN THIS STORY#Karnataka
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Time of India
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- Time of India
Government tells court RCB's relentless tweeting resulted in Bengaluru stampede
Bengaluru: The state govt on Monday pinned the blame squarely on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) IPL franchise for the stampede outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4 that killed 11 people and left 75 others injured. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Referring to successive tweets put out by RCB on the day of the incident, Karnataka govt told the high court those tweets led to a huge public gathering in the city. Appearing for the state govt and police, advocate general (AG) Shashikiran Shetty submitted that while the team was still in Ahmedabad after winning the IPL final, RCB put out multiple tweets, declaring they would hold a victory rally in Bengaluru — without obtaining any permission from the govt. Additional state public prosecutor B N Jagadeesh, too, raised the same point in his submission before the court. Shetty further said the franchise had invited all and sundry in its subsequent tweets to attend the victory celebrations, with 13 crore people viewing those tweets. While arrangements were made for an estimated turnout of about 1.5 lakh people, the actual turnout was much larger primarily because of those tweets. Earlier, senior advocate Sandesh Chouta, appearing for Nikhil Sosale, the marketing and revenue head of RCB, argued that Sosale's arrest was illegal. According to him, Sosale was arrested by Central Crime Branch (CCB) sleuths and not by Cubbon Park police who had registered the case. He wondered how CCB came into the picture when the govt had handed over the probe to CID. Referring to verbal directives issued by chief minister Siddaramaiah to arrest officials of RCB and DNA Entertainment Ltd, Chouta said such orders cannot be issued since the investigation falls under the domain of the police. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In view of Chouta's claim, Justice SR Krishna Kumar questioned the state govt whether the CM had indeed issued any such instruction. Responding to the judge's observation that "At best, the CM could say that 'the accused would be arrested in accordance with law'," the AG said he would verify that. Opposing grant of any interim relief to RCB, the AG further claimed that petitioners RCB made more than Rs 450 crore from IPL. "They announced some Rs 10 lakh compensation. They did not bother to care about those who lost their lives and suffered injuries. They did not bother to visit those families," he added while pointing out that granting any interim relief is akin to granting final relief, which would seriously affect the ongoing investigation. The hearing was adjourned to Tuesday.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
After stampede, clamour grows for bigger cricket venue in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: The stampede outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium last week, which resulted in 11 deaths, has highlighted the need for Bengaluru to have a larger venue for cricket like never before. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The existing 35,000-40,000 seater is by no means big enough for a city of 1.5 crore, particularly given the limited parking facility at the venue. Cricket enthusiasts have for long been clamouring for a stadium that can hold around 1 lakh spectators, complete with adequate parking and public transport connectivity. The devastating stampede has only intensified that demand. Chinnaswamy Stadium was built in 1970 when the city's population was 16 lakh. Since then, Bengaluru has expanded exponentially. The growing popularity of IPL over the past 18 years has only compounded the challenge for the city, with its cricket stadium falling woefully short of requirements — both in terms of capacity and infrastructure. Despite govt land allocations, there has been no real progress towards building a new stadium. The recent laying of the foundation stone for an international cricket stadium near Tumakuru is the closest that Karnataka could get towards having a new home for cricket in many years. Govt sources said Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) had land allocated to it in Kolar, Chikkamagaluru, Mangaluru, Udupi and Puttur. However, these sites remain largely undeveloped, save for boundary walls. Similar situations exist in Ballari and Davanagere. While allocating 41 acres near Tumakuru for a new cricket stadium, chief minister Siddaramaiah had promised additional govt land through KIADB in Mysuru. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Yet, apart from the Tumakuru project, there hasn't been any progress worth the mention at any other location. Even the Tumakuru project is unlikely to address cricket enthusiasts' needs, given that it is located 91 km from Bengaluru – literally a far cry from the fans' demand to have a stadium within city limits. This despite KSCA having viable options nearer to the city. A case in point is the new National Cricket Academy campus near Kempegowda International Airport, which can potentially house an 85-yard field with triple the seating capacity of Chinnaswamy. There have also been suggestions that KSCA take charge of the International Sports Complex planned by BDA in the upcoming Shivarama Karanth Layout. The site comprises two 40-acre land parcels adjacent to the planned Peripheral Ring Road in Byalakere, suitable for a world-class stadium. As the wait for a new stadium in or around Bengaluru gets painfully longer, cricket lovers in the state can only hope that a tragedy like the one on Wednesday is a one-off.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Congress top brass summons Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar in Bengaluru stampede case
The Congress high command on Monday issued summon to chief minister Siddaramaiah and deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar to Delhi in the wake of the stampede near Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium that killed 11 people and injured scores of people. This comes amid signs of a widening rift between the two leaders, with Siddaramaiah indirectly shifting blame toward Shivakumar for the mishap during the IPL victory celebration while the CM pointedly distanced himself from. 'CM Siddaramaiah will meet party leadership in Delhi and will brief them on the latest developments,' a statement from the chief minister's Office said. Both leaders have been asked to meet Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday morning. While Shivakumar is already in the national capital for a government programme, Siddaramaiah is scheduled to fly to Delhi in the morning. ALSO READ | Siddaramaiah deflects Bengaluru stampede blame, says 'no connection to stadium' The stampede occurred on June 4 evening outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium during an event organised to celebrate Royal Challengers Bengaluru's win in the IPL. The chaos left 11 people dead and more than 56 injured. Siddaramaiah did not attend the event at the stadium, which began around 6.10 pm and was attended by Shivakumar. The CM was at the celebration at Vidhana Soudha. Speaking to reporters in Mysuru on Sunday, Siddaramaiah said he became aware of the deaths only at 5.45 pm, nearly two hours after they were reported at the hospital. 'I came to know the deaths happened at 5.45pm. At 3.50pm, deaths were reported at the hospital, but I came to know about it only at 5.45pm. Until that point, I was not aware of deaths taking place due to the stampede. I have taken action against whoever has done wrong,' he said. Distancing himself from the event and its planning, he said: 'The incident happened near the cricket stadium. I have no connection with that. It should not have happened.' He explained that the event was organised by the cricket association. When asked about any planning meetings or involvement of top leaders, he denied any knowledge. He told reporters, 'Neither the Deputy Chief Minister…', then corrected himself saying, 'no, neither the Home Minister, nor I know about it (planning of meetings).' His remarks have been interpreted by leaders within the party and outside as an attempt to subtly assign responsibility to Shivakumar, who was present at the stadium and has been more closely associated with organising public events. Meanwhile, deputy CM Shivakumar on Monday accused the BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) of politicising the tragedy. 'The BJP and JD(S) are politicising over dead bodies. I feel sorry for them,' he said. On the chief minister's comments, he offered a cautious response: 'I am the deputy CM. Already my CM made some decisions which are best for the future.' Shivakumar also indicated the government is working on long-term crowd management reforms. 'We will come out with an act for crowd management. We will come out with a policy,' he said. Home minister G Parameshwara said: 'The high command has asked us about what happened, and we have provided information over the phone. The high command has not called me either to Delhi or Mumbai.' He also rejected the speculation that he had asked for a change in his ministerial portfolio. 'I have never demanded any specific portfolio from the chief minister. I am clarifying. I have not asked for anything, and no discussion has been held. It is false,' he said. When asked about the police warning prior to the stampede and the role of the suspended officials, he said, 'We have handed over the probe to the one-man justice commission. Until the probe is complete, if we make statements in the media, it will become sub judice.' He also refrained from commenting on whether he was excluded from the event's planning. 'If I say anything now, it might change the direction of the investigation,' he said.
