Karnataka cabinet clears tough crowd control law
Bengaluru, Jun 19 (UNI) In the wake of the tragic stampede at Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, which claimed 11 lives and left 56 injured, the Karnataka government is set to introduce a stringent crowd control law.
A draft bill was discussed in the state cabinet on Wednesday and is expected to be tabled in the forthcoming monsoon session of the Assembly.
According to the draft bill, a copy of which is in circulation, the proposed legislation holds event organisers and executors legally accountable for lapses in crowd management, with penalties including imprisonment of up to three years and fines starting from ₹50,000. Offences under the proposed act will be non-cognizable and non-bailable.
The bill, which is seen as a direct fallout of the Chinnaswamy stadium stampede during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) victory celebration on June 4, lays down a detailed compliance framework for event planners. RCB and DNA Networks, the event coordinators, have come under intense scrutiny in connection with the incident.
'If the event planner does not apply for police permission before conducting the event, fails to control the crowd gathered, does not provide compensation or violates any provisions of the Act or its rules in any manner, they shall be punishable with imprisonment up to three years or with fine up to ₹5 lakh or both,' the draft bill states.
Other offences include deliberate violation of regulations, incidents leading to death or bodily injury, and crowd disturbances resulting in injury or stampede.
There are also provisions for penalising abetment and for organisers of commercially driven gatherings, such as sporting events or circuses.
The stampede – which occurred as thousands of fans thronged a narrow entry point outside the stadium – triggered a wave of criticism against the Congress-led government. Both the BJP and JD(S) held Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar directly responsible, accusing them of inadequate planning and hasty execution.
The crowd had gathered to celebrate RCB's maiden IPL title win in 18 years, turning the stadium precincts into an emotionally charged venue, which quickly descended into chaos. UNI BDN SSP
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