Bengaluru stampede: Karnataka HC takes suo motu cognizance of matter, calls for status report from state govt by next Tuesday
The Karnataka High Court Thursday took suo motu cognizance of the recent stampede near the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, calling for a status report from the state government by next Tuesday. The case was heard by a division bench consisting of Acting Chief Justice V Kameshwar Rao and Justice C M Joshi.
At least 11 deaths and many injuries had resulted from the stampede, which occurred after a large crowd had gathered outside the stadium to celebrate the victory of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the latest edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The court stated, 'News items have been published by various newspapers… wherein a narration has been made about the unfortunate public tragedy on 4/6/2025. This court, taking cognizance of the incident… to ascertain the reasons which led to the tragedy, whether the tragedy could have been prevented, what remedial measures need to be taken to prevent such tragedies in future.'
Advocate General Shashikiran Shetty submitted that 1,318 local cops, as well as 325 personnel from the Karnataka State Reserve Police, were deployed in the vicinity of the Chinnaswamy Stadium during the celebratory event on Wednesday. Shetty also provided other details like the number of ambulances, water tankers, and fire tenders present at the spot.
He stated, 'More than 2.5 lakh persons gathered around Chinnaswamy Stadium, resulting in… death of 11 persons at various gates.'
In response to a query from the court on standard operating procedures (SOPs) and the presence of ambulances, the advocate general said, 'The Government has taken the issue seriously and is exploring the option of issuing a fresh SOP to regulate public gathering… of every kind.'
He informed that while facilities like ambulances were there, they were not sufficient given the strength of the crowd. He added that the stadium can accommodate only 34,600 people.
The advocate general said, 'We have given notices to the Royal Challengers, DNA (an event management company)… FIR has also been filed against them… we are as… concerned as anybody else, it is not that we are hiding. The first statement that the Hon'ble Chief Minister made was giving compensation, medical treatment, coming up with new SOPs…'
Making a submission before the court, an advocate asked whether the state government or the Karnataka State Cricket Association had taken the decision to felicitate the cricketers of the RCB franchise. He also questioned the decision to felicitate the players as they did not participate on behalf of the state or the country.
Referring to a magisterial inquiry into the stampede ordered by the state government, senior advocate Aruna Shyam said, 'The subdivisional magistrate or deputy commissioner who shall be part of controlling the entire mob has been deputed to inquire into the incident.' He added that an independent inquiry might be required.
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