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
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
24 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
RCB fully responsible for stampede, K'taka govt tells high court
The Karnataka government on Wednesday told the High Court that IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) bore full responsibility for the deadly stampede outside Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, which left 11 people dead and several others injured. Opposing the bail plea of RCB's head of marketing, Nikhil Sosale, who was arrested by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) on June 6, the state submitted that RCB's last-minute social media posts, including announcements about free passes and open invitations to the team's victory celebration, triggered the massive and unmanageable crowd buildup. The submissions were made before Justice SR Krishna Kumar, who has reserved orders on Sosale's bail application and is expected to pronounce the verdict on June 12. Terming the entire celebration 'illegal,' the government argued that RCB neither sought the requisite permissions nor implemented necessary safety measures to manage an event that ultimately drew lakhs of people. 'There was no permission taken. What they submitted was an intimation—not a formal request seeking approval,' Advocate General (AG) Shashi Kiran Shetty told the court. 'They tweeted to the world, inviting lakhs of fans without specifying who could enter or what protocols applied. The entire event violated legal norms,' he added. The AG cited multiple posts made from RCB's official handle on X (formerly Twitter) between 11:30 pm on June 3 and 8:55 am on June 4. These posts announced a victory parade from Vidhana Soudha to the stadium but offered no details on ticketing, crowd control, or security arrangements. When Justice Kumar asked whether the state's position was that RCB was 'completely responsible,' the AG replied: 'Yes. They have tried to shift the blame to the State, but the entire responsibility lies with them. The event was illegal under the Karnataka Police Act and Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with disobedience to lawful orders. This has criminal consequences.' Defending Sosale, senior advocate Sandesh Chouta argued that the marketing head was being unfairly targeted. 'He is merely an employee, not a decision-maker. He cannot be held vicariously liable for actions taken by the company,' Chouta told the court. Chouta also pointed out that Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar had publicly invited people to the event, but the AG refuted this claim. When the bench sought clarity on Sosale's personal responsibility, Justice Kumar observed: 'He is not even a director; just a marketing official. You cannot conflate the company with the individual. Show us a document where it's his responsibility to seek permission.' In response, the AG cited a tri-partite agreement between RCB, BCCI and KSCA to underline RCB's obligations but admitted that the document did not directly implicate Sosale. However, Shetty maintained: 'We have identified the right person for arrest based on the investigation so far.' Chouta further argued that the arrest was procedurally flawed, pointing out that it took place on June 6, even though the investigation had been officially transferred to the CID on June 5. The AG, however, countered that local police were well within their rights to act until the handover was formally completed and insisted the arrest was lawful. Sosale has also challenged the legality of his arrest, alleging that it was carried out at the behest of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah -- an act he contends exceeds the CM's constitutional authority in criminal investigations.
New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Shoulder responsibility and ensure justice to the Bengaluru stampede victims
Multiple investigations have been launched into the tragedy. The Karnataka High Court took suo motu cognisance and ordered the government to file a status report, the government ordered a magisterial inquiry and set up a one-man commission headed by a retired HC judge, and a probe by the police's criminal investigation department. It is hoped the inquiries bring to light the omissions and commissions, and who took the crucial decision to hold a victory parade and celebrate in the confines of the stadium. A number of issues require scrutiny: RCB's X post on free passes to the stadium, and whether top police officials' objections were brushed aside by politicians. There were many factors at play: the public rushing to collect the passes, restrictions at the stadium gates, a tired and depleted police force, and lakhs of people pouring in to celebrate the elusive IPL trophy. The Congress high command summoned Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar and sought an explanation. The opposition has been baying for the resignations of the two leaders and Home Minister G Parameshwara for turning the felicitation into a family and supporters' show, and absolving themselves of accountability. The image of the Congress government has come under severe drubbing and the leaders' stock has hit an all-time low. They should realise that it is in their interest to take responsibility and do justice to the grieving families. They may fall from grace now, but that's part of the leadership role.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Caste survey decision by Cong brass, not Karnataka government, says CM Siddaramaiah
BENGALURU: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah sought to clarify Wednesday that it was the Congress brass's decision and not his govt's to undertake a fresh caste survey, suggesting unease at the prospect of his core vote bank of minorities, backward classes and Dalits not taking kindly to re-enumeration after leaked data from the 2015 exercise showed a massive jump in their numbers. Siddaramaiah, under the pump for the June 4 stampede in Bengaluru in which 11 cricket fans died, told reporters at Gauribidanur in Chikkaballapur district that there were "some complaints" about the Kantharaj Commission's caste survey data. Won't reject 2015 census report: Siddaramaiah There were claims that the data was outdated, so some suggested a fresh enumeration within a relatively shorter timeline. We won't reject the (2015) report. We have already accepted it in principle," Siddaramaiah said. On whether he was disappointed with Congress's decision to go for fresh survey, he said, "We will act per the high command's directive. It's not our decision."Siddaramaiah and his deputy minister D K Shivakumar had been summoned to Delhi Tuesday for a meeting with Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, purportedly to explain state govt's failure to stem the outrage over the stampede sparked by an allegedly mismanaged victory parade for IPL-winning cricket franchise RCB. While Siddaramaiah appeared wary of owning the decision to enumerate caste demography afresh, Shivakumar batted on the front foot. He questioned why BJP was criticising the decision to conduct a new survey after refusing to accept data from previous one. "Why such opposition when we are trying to address concerns? We are not rejecting the Kantharaj Commission's report. We are only trying to correct the shortcomings of the earlier survey," DKS said.
