Karnataka HC Issues Notice to State Over RCB Stampede That Killed 11

Court seeks accountability from state government after stampede outside Chinnaswamy Stadium leaves 11 dead during RCB celebration

Amit Singh 2 weeks agoLast Updated: June 9, 2025

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Reviewed & Published by HH News Desk

BENGALURU, June 5 — The Karnataka High Court on Thursday formally issued a notice to the state government, taking suo motu cognisance of the deadly stampede near M Chinnaswamy Stadium that left 11 dead and dozens injured. The tragedy, which unfolded during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) victory celebration on Wednesday evening, has triggered serious concerns around public safety, event planning, and institutional oversight.

Citing widespread coverage of the incident across newspapers and news channels, the bench stated it could not ignore the magnitude of the disaster. “We have perused multiple reports that narrate the unfortunate events of last evening. Eleven persons lost their lives, and at least 75 were injured. This court cannot remain a mute spectator,” the order read.

Questions Raised Over Crowd Management and Emergency Planning

During the hearing, Senior Advocate Arun Shyam submitted that two separate felicitation events were held — one at Vidhana Soudha, the seat of state legislature, and another at the stadium — but clarity was lacking on how emergency services were positioned. “Let the state provide details on where ambulances were actually stationed,” he said, flagging a likely lapse in preparedness.

The court agreed to register the matter as a suo motu writ petition, directing that it be listed for further hearing on June 10. In its oral observations, the bench remarked that preventing such tragedies in the future must be treated as a governance priority.

State Claims High Deployment, Cites Unexpected Crowd Size

Representing the government, the Advocate General of Karnataka told the court that security forces had been mobilised in full strength. A total of 1,483 police personnel, including senior officers, were reportedly on site. However, the turnout — which exceeded 2.5 lakh people, according to police estimates — overwhelmed the setup.

“There was a substantial deployment on the ground. But the crowd far exceeded projections,” the AG told the court. He noted that the Chief Minister had issued a public statement late Wednesday, announcing compensation for the deceased and ensuring that medical aid would be extended to all injured individuals.

“We’ve been working through the night. We are open to suggestions and are cooperating fully,” the AG added.

Petitioners Slam Event Decision, Call for Criminal Accountability

The petitioner’s counsel criticised the decision to hold a felicitation event for an IPL team, questioning the rationale behind such a massive public gathering. “What was the need to felicitate a franchise team that doesn’t represent India? Was this state-sponsored celebration really essential?” the counsel asked, hinting at misuse of state resources and political motives.

He further alleged negligence in how the crowd was managed, claiming only three gates at the stadium had been opened. “With lakhs attempting to enter through just three gates, disaster was inevitable. It was a logistical failure bordering on criminal negligence,” he submitted.

Eyewitness Reports Confirm Panic, Poor Access for Emergency Teams

Eyewitnesses near the stadium said panic broke out when the crowd surged toward one of the main gates, which had remained partially closed for over an hour. Some fell to the ground and were trampled as others pushed forward. According to early reports, the majority of the deceased were from districts outside Bengaluru and had travelled in groups to witness the celebration.

“The issue wasn’t just the numbers. There were no crowd markers, no visible queuing system. It was just people pouring in from all directions,” said a vendor who was operating outside Gate 3.

Traffic bottlenecks in the Cubbon Park area and lack of designated ambulance lanes worsened the response time, as per accounts from emergency personnel.

Political Fallout and Demands for Independent Probe

The incident has triggered a political storm, with opposition parties accusing the ruling government of prioritising spectacle over safety. Leaders from multiple parties, including the BJP and JD(S), have called for an independent judicial probe into the decision-making that led to the mass gathering.

“This was not a spontaneous crowd. It was built up through official messaging, promotions, and political endorsement. The state must answer,” said a senior BJP leader, demanding that the Department of Sports, BBMP, and the city police commissionerate be made accountable.

Sources in the government, however, maintained that the celebration was organised in good faith and with prior approvals. Internal reviews are reportedly underway to assess gaps in crowd control protocols.

High Court Sets Tone for Long-Term Policy Review

By stepping in at this early stage, the High Court appears set to drive a broader institutional review of how public events — particularly those involving non-governmental entities — are assessed and permitted in urban zones with limited holding capacity.

“The registry is directed to take the AG’s report on record. The matter shall be relisted on Tuesday, June 10,” the bench noted in its concluding remarks, making it clear that follow-up will be ongoing.

With investigations now spanning multiple agencies and the judiciary actively monitoring the case, the stampede is likely to prompt a wider reckoning on urban crowd management, public accountability, and the politicisation of cultural events.

Source: Karnataka High Court proceedings, ANI, inputs from legal counsel, and police officials present during the hearing.

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Amit Singh

Reporting Fellow at Hindustan Herald

Amit Singh is a Reporting Fellow at Hindustan Herald, where he covers the intricate dynamics of Indian politics and global geopolitical shifts. Currently pursuing his studies at Delhi University, Amit brings a keen analytical mind and a passion for factual reporting to his daily coverage, providing readers with well-researched insights into the forces shaping national and international affairs.