**RCB Named in FIR Following Deadly Stampede at Celebration Event**
An FIR filed by Bengaluru police has identified Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as the primary accused in a tragic stampede that occurred on June 4, resulting in the deaths of 11 individuals and numerous injuries during a celebratory event at M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Co-organizers DNA Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) have been named as the second and third accused, respectively.
**Details of the Incident**
According to the FIR, which has been reviewed, crowds began to gather on June 3, the day RCB clinched the final victory, near the East Chinnaswamy Stand, MG Road, and Vittal Mallya Road to celebrate the win. A high-level coordination meeting was convened with senior police officials, including the Additional Commissioner of Police (ACP), Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), and Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic), to establish guidelines for traffic management, public safety, and crowd control.
Despite these preparations, the turnout for the felicitation event on June 4 exceeded expectations, with fans surging toward the stadium between 4 PM and 5:30 PM, leading to chaos.
**Allegations of Poor Planning and Mismanagement**
The police report criticizes the organizers for their failure to implement sufficient barricades and crowd-control measures, both inside and outside the stadium, which contributed to a stampede-like situation at multiple entry points. The FIR confirms that 11 people lost their lives in the ensuing chaos, and 64 others, including police personnel, sustained injuries. The report attributes negligence to the organizers, despite prior warnings from law enforcement regarding potential crowd control issues.
**Filing of the FIR**
The complaint was lodged by Girish AK, an inspector from the Cubbon Park Police Station, who submitted the report on June 5 at 11:15 AM. The FIR alleges that the actions of the organizers violated public safety protocols, leading to severe consequences.
**Legal Implications**
The FIR includes multiple charges under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), such as Section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), Section 125 (acts endangering human life), and Section 190 (liability of unlawful assembly members for offenses committed in pursuit of a common objective). In response to the incident, the Karnataka government has transferred the case to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which will form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a thorough investigation.
The stampede occurred during a public event to honor the RCB team following their first Indian Premier League title win. Sources indicate that the Karnataka government proceeded with the felicitation ceremony the day after RCB’s victory, despite police recommendations to postpone it for logistical and security reasons.
**Conclusion**
This tragic incident highlights the critical importance of effective crowd management and safety protocols during large public events. As investigations continue, the focus will be on accountability and ensuring that such a disaster does not occur in the future.
**FAQ**
**What led to the stampede during the RCB celebration?**
The stampede was caused by an overwhelming turnout of fans, coupled with inadequate crowd control measures implemented by the event organizers, leading to a chaotic situation at the stadium entrances.
