In a scathing order, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has held Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) responsible for the tragic stampede outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium that claimed 11 lives and left more than 50 injured. The incident occurred on June 4, the day after RCB clinched their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title.
A two-member bench of CAT, comprising Justices B.K. Srivastava and Santosh Mehra, stated that the RCB franchise — owned by Diageo — had created a "nuisance" by celebrating its IPL victory without obtaining the necessary regulatory permissions. The tribunal emphasized that the police force could not be blamed for the chaos, noting, "Police are not Gods or magicians. They do not possess a magical lamp like Aladdin’s that can fulfill wishes instantly."
The 29-page order was issued in response to a case filed by Bengaluru (West) Inspector General and Additional Commissioner of Police, Vikas Kumar, who sought clarity on the responsibilities and shortcomings surrounding the incident.
According to the order, on June 3 — the day of the IPL final — Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) CEO Shubhendu Ghosh, on behalf of DNA Network, sent a letter to the Cubbon Park Police Station, indicating that a victory parade could be held if RCB won. However, no formal permission was sought, nor was a clear plan submitted.
The situation escalated further when the Karnataka government announced an official felicitation ceremony for the team, putting additional pressure on an already strained police force.
The tribunal stated, "Prima facie, it appears that RCB is responsible for the gathering of approximately three to five lakh people. The franchise failed to seek proper permissions from law enforcement agencies. Instead, they posted sudden updates on social media, prompting a massive and unmanageable crowd to assemble."
Due to the lack of prior notice, the police were unable to deploy adequate resources or crowd control measures in time. The tribunal backed the police, asserting that they had not been given sufficient time to prepare for the large-scale event.
The CAT's findings have intensified the debate over accountability and event management following major public celebrations, especially in light of the tragic loss of lives. The Karnataka government has not yet issued an official response to the tribunal's observations.