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Indian Express
a day ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
From crowd size to lack of CCTV to anti-sabotage check: Bengaluru police's 10 points of objection to holding RCB event at Vidhana Soudha
A few hours before the Bengaluru stampede that claimed 11 lives during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's IPL victory celebrations, the city police had objected to felicitating the champions at the Vidhana Soudha citing multiple reasons. However, the Karnataka government went ahead with the programme ignoring the red flags. M N Karibasavana Gowda, DCP (Vidhana Soudha security), red-flagged the dangers in a June 4, 2025, letter written to the government secretary to the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR). In 10 points, Gowda mentioned concerns including security, time to arrange vital installations, and threats to them. Gowda's response came after the DPAR sought his opinion on holding the felicitation event on the grand steps of the Vidhana Soudha to honour the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) players. 1) RCB has a huge fan following across the country. If the event on the grand steps is organised, lakhs of cricket fans will come to the Vidhana Soudha. There will be a problem as there is a shortage of officials or staff for bandobast. 2) We request that the distribution of passes, online or offline, for the public to attend the felicitation at Vidhana Soudha be stopped. 3) At the June 4 event, scheduled for 4 pm, it is highly likely that the secretariat officials or staff would bring their family members. We request you to declare a half-day holiday for the officials or staff and also to direct them not to attend the event or bring their families to the event. 4) Vidhana Soudha is a vital installation. We have requested that CCTV cameras be installed in front and around the Vidhana Soudha, but the cameras have not been installed. With lakhs of fans arriving at the Vidhana Soudha, CCTV cameras are necessary. But without CCTV cameras, it will pose a threat to the security system. 5) As the programme is being held on the Vidhana Soudha's grand steps, we want a no-objection certificate to be issued by the Public Works Department (PWD). Also, the organisers must be informed that the police should be allowed to conduct security checks at least two hours before the event. 6) With electric equipment used during the event, the concerned engineer must issue a fitness certificate. Also, we request a written communication be sent to the assistant executive engineer and the PWD (electrical). 7) The organisers must allow the anti-sabotage check squad at least two hours before the event. 8) As the RCB fan following is huge, police personnel from outside the city will be required. It will require time. 9) The law and order and the traffic police will have to coordinate to conduct such a huge event and there is not enough time. 10) There are chances of using drones during such events and anti-drone systems are required. At the end of the letter, the DCP wrote, the Vidhana Soudha is a heritage building and a vital installation. Keeping security in view, we need time to conduct time to conduct the event. Despite this, we will abide by the government's decision.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Bengaluru stampede: Top cop's warning letter to Karnataka govt before RCB event puts administration in a tight spot
Just hours before a stampede outside Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium killed 11 people during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru 's IPL victory celebration, a senior police officer had warned the state government of a possible disaster. According to a letter accessed by The Times of India (TOI), MN Karibasavana Gowda, who is in charge of legislature security, had flagged concerns about the lack of security personnel and the risk of crowd control problems on the morning of the event. What did the officer say? In his letter to G Sathyavathi, Secretary of the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms, Gowda strongly advised against holding a public felicitation at the Vidhana Soudha. He wrote, 'RCB has a fan following nationwide and lakhs of cricket fans will come to Vidhana Soudha if we organise a programme on the grand steps. Since there is a shortage of security personnel, making bandobust arrangements will be a problem.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dukung Orang Terkasih Menghadapi Limfoma: Mulai Di Sini Limfoma Klik Di Sini This warning, as per TOI, was ignored, and just hours later, the city witnessed a tragedy that left 11 people dead and at least 75 injured. Political firestorm grows The Karnataka government is already under heavy fire for allegedly prioritising grand visuals over public safety. The fresh revelation has further fuelled public anger. Live Events On Saturday, BJP leader and Union Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje came down hard on the state leadership. 'Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have blood on their hands,' she said, holding the Chief Minister and his deputy directly responsible for the tragedy. She also criticised the suspension of Bengaluru's police commissioner, calling him 'a good and honest officer' who was being made a scapegoat. KSCA officials step down Amid the backlash, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) announced the resignation of its Secretary A Shankar and Treasurer E S Jairam, who took moral responsibility for the incident. The resignations were accepted during an emergency meeting led by KSCA President Raghuram Bhat. 'They placed a letter of resignation in front of the committee, which was accepted after acknowledging the work they have done over the last two and half years,' Bhat told the media. While no interim replacements were officially named, TOI reported that MS Vinay and Manjunatha Raju are leading contenders. The current KSCA committee's term ends on September 30, with elections expected in October or November. FIR filed against KSCA An FIR has been registered against the KSCA in connection with the stampede. Bhat confirmed that the association is cooperating fully with the probe. 'It is a very delicate issue. When the appropriate time comes, I myself will call all of you and give detailed information,' he said. He added that senior police officials had visited the KSCA office as part of the investigation and reiterated the association's willingness to support both the government and the High Court in the enquiry. Despite calls for a complete shake-up, Bhat ruled out dissolving the managing committee. 'Nothing of the sort. The game must go on, and that is why the emergency meeting was held. Rest all is fine at the moment,' he said. Tragedy that could have been prevented? The stampede occurred when a massive crowd gathered to celebrate RCB's historic IPL win, its first title since the league began. Wednesday's tragic incident has raised serious questions about whether the tragedy could have been prevented. Planning, crowd control, and accountability are now at the centre of public debate in Karnataka. Inputs from TOI
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'RCB has lakhs of cricket fans': Letter to Karnataka govt shows warning was issued before stampede; new revelation puts pressure on administration
BENGALURU: A senior police officer had raised red flags over the lack of security personnel and potential crowd control issues just hours before a stampede killed 11 people outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's IPL victory celebration on Wednesday. According to official letter accessed by the TOI, MN Karibasavana Gowda, who oversees legislature security, issued a written warning to the state government on the morning of the event. In a letter addressed to G Sathyavathi, Secretary of the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms, Gowda cautioned against holding a felicitation at the Vidhana Soudha due to anticipated large crowds and insufficient police deployment. 'RCB has a fan following nationwide and lakhs of cricket fans will come to Vidhana Soudha if we organise a programme on the grand steps. Since there is a shortage of security personnel, making bandobust arrangements will be a problem,' the officer wrote. This fresh revelation now puts further pressure on the state govt, which is already in the eye of a storm for allegedly prioritising optics over public safety. Fallout and resignations The revelation has intensified public scrutiny of the Karnataka government, which is already facing criticism for allegedly prioritising optics over safety during the celebrations. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 임플란트 최대 할인 지원해드려요 임플란터 더 알아보기 Undo On Saturday, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) announced that it had accepted the resignations of two of its senior officials—Secretary A Shankar and Treasurer E S Jairam—who stepped down, taking moral responsibility for the tragedy. The decision was taken at an emergency meeting convened by KSCA president Raghuram Bhat. 'They placed a letter of resignation in front of the committee, which was accepted after acknowledging the work they have done over the last two and half years,' Bhat told reporters. While Bhat did not disclose the names of interim replacements, sources said MS Vinay and Manjunatha Raju are the frontrunners for the roles. The current managing committee's term ends on September 30, with elections due in October or November. Legal action and investigation An FIR has been registered against the KSCA in connection with the stampede. Bhat said the association would fully cooperate with ongoing investigations. 'It is a very delicate issue. When the appropriate time comes, I myself will call all of you and give detailed information,' he said, adding that some senior police officials had visited the KSCA office during the day as part of the investigation process. 'We have already informed the government and the honourable High Court that we will cooperate fully with the enquiry. We will never shy away from anything.' Bhat ruled out dissolving the entire managing committee despite mounting pressure. 'Nothing of the sort. The game must go on, and that is why the emergency meeting was held. Rest all is fine at the moment,' he said. Bengaluru stampede The stampede, which occurred as lakhs of cricket fans gathered to celebrate RCB's first IPL title win, left 11 dead and 75 injured. The incident triggered outrage and raised serious questions about event planning, crowd management, and safety oversight by both the state administration and KSCA.
