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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
RCB marketing head Nikhil Sosale says arrest 'illegal'; cites ‘oral instructions' from Siddaramaiah
Nikhil Sosale, the marketing head of Royal Challengers Sports Ltd, has moved the Karnataka High Court challenging his arrest in connection with the tragic stampede at Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium, which claimed 11 lives and left 75 injured during RCB's IPL victory celebrations. According to a Times of India report, in a petition filed before the court, Sosale termed his arrest arbitrary, illegal, and politically motivated, alleging that he was taken into custody based on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's oral instructions following a late-night cabinet meeting. He argued that his arrest was a knee-jerk reaction, aimed at shifting the blame for the incident onto RCB and its staff, even before an investigation had clearly established individual roles. (Also Read: Bengaluru cop wears black armband, holds Ambedkar photo to protest B Dayananda's suspension, arrested) The arrest, carried out by city police in the early hours of Friday, came shortly after the High Court took suo motu cognisance of the stampede and sought accountability from the state. Sosale's counsel told the court that the FIR was filed by Inspector AK Girisha, who was himself later suspended — raising questions about procedural lapses and the legality of the arrest. 'Arrest is the prerogative of the investigating officer and cannot be carried out at the behest of political orders,' Sosale's counsel argued, adding that the decision violated his constitutional rights under Article 19, which guarantees personal freedom. The petition also cited a lack of concrete evidence tying Sosale to the logistical mismanagement that led to the disaster. The state government, represented by Advocate General Shashikiran Shetty, countered that Sosale was detained while allegedly attempting to leave the country, a claim his legal team has not yet addressed publicly. After a brief hearing, Justice S.R. Krishna Kumar adjourned the matter to June 9 and said that interim relief would be considered after the government files its statement of objections. (Also Read: Lessons and questions from Bengaluru stampede tragedy that took 11 young lives)
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Bengaluru stampede: RCB marketing head Nikhil Sosale says arrest is illegal; blames CM's directive
BENGALURU: Marketing head of Royal Challengers Sports Ltd, Nikhil Sosale , approached the high court stating that his arrest in the wee hours of Friday was based on chief minister Siddaramaiah's oral instructions and was arbitrary and illegal. Sosale was arrested by city police in connection with the stampede at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, where 11 persons were killed and 75 injured during RCB's IPL victory celebrations. Contesting his arrest in a petition before the Karnataka high court, Sosale revealed that an FIR was registered against him after a 'late-night' cabinet meeting and after suo-motu proceedings were initiated by the high court. His counsel submitted that police inspector AK Girisha (investigating officer), who filed the FIR, was himself suspended. 'Arrest is the domain of the IO, and it cannot be done on instructions from a superior,' counsel said. In his petition, Nikhil alleged that the arrest 'aims to redirect responsibility for the incident to RCB and its staff'. He noted that senior police officers were suspended for neglecting their duties and questioned the rush to arrest a private citizen like himself, before establishing individual roles through a complete investigation. He also contended that his arrest at night violated his constitutional freedom under Article 19. He argued that the 'hasty action reflected a predetermined agenda based on the chief minister's directive, without a proper investigation of his specific involvement, disregarding natural justice principles'. Arguing for the state govt/ police, Advocate General Shashikiran Shetty said Sosale was apprehended early Friday while 'attempting to leave the country'. After a brief hearing, Justice SR Krishna Kumar adjourned the hearing to June 9, indicating that interim relief will be considered after a statement of objections is filed by the state govt/police. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
