The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ombudsman Justice (Retd) Arun Mishra has directed the Indian Premier League 2025 winners Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) to file their respective written replies on the complaint alleging gross negligence and violation of safety norms by the franchise during the victory celebrations in Bengaluru last month which led to a stampede and multiple casualties.
On June 4, 11 people died, and over 50 were injured during the stampede outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium during RCB’s victory celebrations as police were short of means to control the increasing crowd.
RCB and KSCA have four weeks to file their written replies to the complaint.
The directives from the ombudsman come after the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) attributed primary responsibility for the avoidable tragedy to the RCB management and the event management company involved – DNA Networks.
The CAT ruling followed an investigation ordered after IPS Officer Vikash Kumar, then Additional Commissioner of Police, moved the tribunal against his suspension by the state government in the wake of the tragedy. CAT quashed the government order, saying the cop should be reinstated.
“Looking at the gravity of the incident, it is considered appropriate that the Karnataka Cricket Association, as well as the concerned franchise, Royal Challengers Bangalore, be asked to submit their written replies to the complaint. Let the Karnataka Cricket Association and the Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise file their respective written replies to the complaint within four weeks, with a copy to the complainant as well,” Justice Mishra wrote in his directive, which has been accessed by Indian media.
Additionally, it bears noting that there have been recent speculations that RCB owner United Spirits, a subsidiary of global alcohol giant Diageo, has initiated around a possible sale of the franchise, allegedly in an attempt to distance itself from facing the possible consequences.
While considering this possibility, the ombudsman in the directive stated that the status quo should be maintained in the meantime.
“Apprehension has been expressed that the franchise may be attempting to distance itself from accountability and possibly offload ownership to avoid potential consequences. In the meantime, the status quo is to be maintained,” the ombudsman’s directive states.
Last month, following the tragedy, the BCCI announced that during its 28th apex council meeting, a committee was constituted to formulate “comprehensive guidelines aimed at preventing such occurrences in the future”.
The committee features Devajit Saikia (chairperson), Prabhtej Singh Bhatia (BCCI treasurer) and Rajeev Shukla (BCCI vice-president).
As for the CAT order, its key findings are:
*It appears that without obtaining the permission from the police or without the consent of concerned police officers, the franchise of RCB placed the information to the public on social media platforms informing that there is free entry for people and inviting the public to participate in the victory parade.
*The first post received 16 lakh views and the second post received 4.26 lakh views and the third post received 7.6 lakh views while the fourth post received 17 lakh views. The aforesaid action of the RCB led the public gathering of immense proportion exceeding 3 lakh individuals.
*The capacity of the Stadium was 35,000 while around 3 lakh people gathered around the stadium. At that moment it was not possible for the police to make the arrangements.
*Prima facie it appears that the RCB is responsible for the gathering of about 3 to 5 lakh people. The RCB did not take the appropriate permission or consent from the police. Suddenly, they posted on social media platforms and as a result of aforesaid information the public were gathered. Because of shortage of time on June 4, the police was unable to do the appropriate arrangements. Sufficient time was not given to the police.
*The RCB created the aforesaid type of nuisance without any prior permission. It cannot expected from the police that within a short time of about 12 hours the police will make all arrangements required in the Police Act or in the other rules, etc.
*Police personnel are also human beings. They are neither “God” (Bhagwan) nor Magician and also not having the magic powers like “Alladdin ka Chirag” which was able to fulfil any wish only by rubbing a finger. To control the aforesaid type of gathering and for making the proper arrangements.
