Bengaluru stampede: KSCA secretary and treasurer tender resignations
The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) secretary, A Shankar, and treasurer, ES Jairam, announced their resignations on Saturday, three days after the tragic loss of 11 lives during the felicitation event for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium after their IPL 2025 victory on Tuesday.
A day after the KSCA and RCB had approached the Karnataka High Court in connection with the First Information Reports (FIR) filed against them in connection with the stampede, the Karnataka cricket association secretary and treasurer announced their resignations through a joint statement.
'This is to inform that due to the unforeseen and unfortunate events that have unfolded in the last two days and though our role was very limited, but owing moral responsibility, we wish to state that last night we have tendered our resignation to our respective posts as the Secretary and Treasurer of the Karnataka State Cricket Association, by way of a letter dated 06.06.2025 to the President of Karnataka State Cricket Association,' the statement read.
On Thursday, the Karnataka High Court had taken suo motu cognisance of the incident after receiving an initial briefing from Advocate General Shashikiran Shetty. The court has directed the state to submit a status report by June 10, the next date of hearing. A single-judge bench of Justice S R Krishna Kumar granted interim protection from arrest to senior KSCA officials, contingent on their cooperation with the police investigation.
Meanwhile, the Bengaluru city police on Friday arrested four people, including the RCB marketing head Nikhil Sosale, as they attempted to board a flight from the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. Besides Sosale, Sunil Mathew, Sumanth and Kiran Kumar of DNA Entertainment Private Limited were arrested and produced before the magistrate and sent to judicial custody for 14 days.
Sosale's legal team challenged his arrest on Friday, claiming it was politically motivated and ordered by the Chief Minister without a proper investigation. However, the court denied interim relief, deciding to hear arguments from the state before making a decision.
Meanwhile, the KSCA stated in its petition that its involvement was confined to renting out the stadium and assisting with government permissions. It asserted that RCB, as the event organiser, along with law enforcement, were responsible for ticketing and crowd control.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
2 hours ago
- First Post
RCB owner issues statement after sale rumours emerge following maiden IPL title win
After RCB's maiden IPL title win in 2025, media reports speculated a possible sale of the franchise. The reports emerged following the deadly stampede in Bengaluru that killed 11 fans during victory celebrations. Current owner Diageo India has now issued a statement, clarifying their stance on the matter. read more After Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) lifted their first-ever IPL title this year, media reports emerged stating that the team might be up for sale. RCB defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 6 runs in the IPL 2025 final to end their 18-year-long drought. Immediately after this, news started doing the rounds of a possible sale of the franchise. RCB's historic IPL 2025 win sparks sale speculation However, the current owner of RCB, Diageo India, has denied all rumours. The company has clearly said that it is not looking to sell the RCB franchise. According to Cricbuzz, Diageo made this statement in a letter to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) on Tuesday, 10 June. This clarification came after the BSE reached out to Diageo regarding the rumours. 'The company would like to clarify that the aforesaid media reports are speculative in nature and it is not pursuing any such discussion. This is for your information and records,' Mital Sanghvi, the company secretary, was quoted as saying to BSE. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Tragic incident in Bengaluru adds to the speculation The speculation started when Bloomberg published a report earlier this morning suggesting that Diageo was looking for options to sell the RCB team. The report came just days after RCB's IPL 2025 victory on 3 June and a tragic stampede incident in Bengaluru on 4 June, where 11 people lost their lives during the celebrations. There were reports that since the news of the potential sale emerged, Diageo's stocks have risen in value. Meanwhile, there are speculations that RCB's owner is exploring options to sell the franchise because of the recent incident that may have caused some reputational damage to the company. Some reports also claimed that Diageo was looking at a valuation of $2 billion for the IPL team. 'I will not be surprised if it is sold for a higher price,' IPL founder Lalit Modi was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz. As per Modi, the valuation being quoted in the media is not far off. RCB's IPL victory may have increased the brand value of the franchise. The Gujarat Titans team was recently sold for nearly $1 billion to Torrent Group.
India Today
2 hours ago
- India Today
No surprises as South Africa name strong playing XI for WTC Final vs Australia
With the World Test Championship Final between South Africa and Australia set to begin on 11 June at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground in London, the Proteas have unveiled their Temba Bavuma-led playing XI for the high-stakes clash — sticking largely with the core that brought them success in recent Test were no last-minute surprises or experimental changes in the side, as South Africa named a line-up similar to the one that defeated Pakistan in their most recent Test series triumph. This time, the Proteas will be up against Pat Cummins-led Australia, who will be walking into the final with confidence from their Border Gavaskar Trophy triumph against Proteas' top order will be bolstered by in-form skipper Temba Bavuma, alongside Aiden Markram — who will hope to carry over his strong IPL 2025 form into the Test format, where his record has been mixed. Ryan Rickelton and Kyle Verreynne, both consistent performers in red-ball cricket, continue to hold their spots. The middle order features Tristan Stubbs and David Bedingham, who have also shown promising contributions with the bat. In the bowling department, Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen will spearhead the pace attack, with Lungi Ngidi adding further depth. Keshav Maharaj remains the only full-time spinner in the only change in the Proeteas XI for the WTC Final and that of their last clash against Pakistan came in Ngidi coming back into the mix for Kwena Mphaka, after having missed their previous clashes due to an Proteas have unveiled their XI for the Ultimate TestRead more on the #WTC25 Final ICC (@ICC) June 10, 2025advertisementWTC Final: South Africa Playing XITemba Bavuma (c),Aiden Markram,Ryan Rickelton,Wiaan Mulder,Tristan Stubbs,David Bedingham,Kyle Verrynne,Marco Jansen,Keshav Maharaj,Kagiso Rabada,Lungi NgidiSouth Africa have reached their maiden World Test Championship Final, thanks largely to their dominant performances on home soil throughout the cycle. Under coach Shukri Conrad, the team boasts a formidable bowling attack — one that's expected to thrive with the Dukes ball in English will also be South Africa's second major ICC final in as many years. After suffering a heartbreaking loss to India in the 2024 T20 World Cup final — a game they let slip from a winning position — the Proteas now have another shot at redemption. As they prepare to face Australia at Lord's, they'll be determined to shed their long-standing reputation for faltering on the big Watch
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
RCB's parent company reacts to 'plans to sell' franchise after winning IPL
Rumours of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) being on sale surfaced just days after the franchise claimed its maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title after beating Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad. However, the owners, Diageo India, an Indian branch of UK-based Diageo Plc, categorically shut the rumours as they told the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and BSE Surveillance Department on Tuesday that the reports were merely speculative in nature. Earlier, a Bloomberg report indicated that the British distiller has been in discussion with potential advisers on selling part or all of the club. Diageo owns the team through its Indian unit, United Spirits Ltd., and may seek a valuation of as much as $2 billion. However, the rumours were ended in a mail to the BSE, with Mital Sanghvi, the company secretary, informing the regulating body of the Indian Stock Market, "The company would like to clarify that the aforesaid media reports are speculative in nature and it is not pursuing any such discussion. This is for your information and records." Diageo is registered with the BSE and hence a mail was sent to the company as the rumours around the RCB had lifted the share price. Shares of United Spirits gained as much as 3.3%, to hit a five-month high, in Mumbai trading on Tuesday morning following the report on potential deal. The rumours emerged at a time when India's health ministry is keen on banning the promotion of tobacco and alcohol brands in the IPL. While advertisement of such products are strictly prohibited in India, Diageo have promoted other products such as soda using top cricketers. The discussions also emerged at a time when RCB found themselves in the midst of a controversy after the unfortunate incident outside the Chinnaswamy on June 4. The franchise had arranged a celebration in the city a day after the IPL win, which saw around 2.5 lakh fans gathering in and around the home stadium in Bengaluru. But all turned into a chaos as a stampede saw 11 people losing their lives, while 56 were left injured. The incident has drawn criticism from local authorities and increased scrutiny over event safety, adding pressure on the franchise's ownership as it faces reputational risks tied to the tragedy.
