Bengaluru Stampede: Karnataka Government Blames RCB for Poor Planning and Chaos

Unapproved Victory Parade Leads to Tragedy

The Karnataka government has submitted a scathing report to the High Court, highlighting serious lapses by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and event organizers DNA Entertainment Networks in connection with the deadly stampede on June 4. The report points to a lack of proper planning, coordination, and police permission, which led to the tragic incident that killed 11 and injured more than 50 people.

RCB’s Lack of Permission

According to the government’s report, RCB never obtained the required permission from the police for the victory parade. The event organizer, DNA Entertainment Networks, only “informed” the police about the parade on June 3, the day before the event. They failed to apply for formal permission or submit essential documents like crowd estimates and emergency plans.

Without the necessary approval, the parade went ahead, drawing over 300,000 people. This unregulated crowd led to severe chaos and confusion at the entry points of the stadium. The police were not informed about the expected crowd size or the lack of safety measures.

Virat Kohli’s Post Triggers Mass Gathering of RCB Fans

The government report also points to a key moment that worsened the situation. A post featuring cricketer Virat Kohli went live at 8:55 AM on June 4, encouraging fans to join the parade. It implied free entry, sparking a massive influx of people. Later, a post at 3:14 PM mentioned limited entry passes, but by then, the crowd had already swelled beyond control.

Stadium Mismanagement and Chaos

As the crowd surged, confusion over gate access intensified. The gates were not opened on time, causing panic. The lack of coordination led to stadium gates being forcibly broken open. Multiple gates experienced stampedes, further escalating the chaos.

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Lack of Emergency Measures

Despite the growing tension, event organizers failed to manage the crowd effectively. No coordinated efforts were made to control the gates or ensure smooth entry. The report states that due to these failures, the police had to intervene to regain control, while organizers struggled to manage the unfolding disaster.

Government’s Conclusion

The Karnataka government’s report concludes that RCB and the event organizers failed to follow standard safety procedures and neglected proper coordination with authorities. The stampede was a result of poor planning and failure to ensure public safety.