Unauthorised celebrations led to chaos that killed 11, says government report
A scathing Karnataka government report has found Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), their event management partner DNA Networks, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) responsible for the tragic stampede at M Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, which left 11 people dead and over 50 injured.
The report, submitted to the Karnataka High Court and accessed by ESPNcricinfo and The Indian Express, outlines a cascade of safety failures, lack of permissions, and crowd mismanagement, holding the franchise and its partners directly accountable.
No permissions, no coordination: the blueprint for disaster
The root cause of the stampede, according to the Karnataka government, was the unilateral decision by RCB and its partners to organize a large-scale celebration following the team’s first-ever IPL title win on June 3, without informing or coordinating with police authorities.
“The RCB Management, in association with its event management partner, DNA Networks Private Limited, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), unilaterally decided to hold the victory celebration without prior consultation with the police and without obtaining the necessary permissions or license for such celebration,”
— Karnataka government status report
The event was first brought to police attention on the evening of June 3, just hours before the celebration was to take place, with a letter of intimation sent by DNA Networks on behalf of KSCA CEO Subhendu Ghosh. However, the Cubbon Park police declined the request due to the late notice and inadequate details.
“Insufficient information regarding the expected gathering size, arrangements made as well as the proposal being made on very short notice.”
— Cubbon Park police, denying the June 3 request
Despite the denial, RCB moved ahead.
Kohli video, viral posts drove massive crowds
At 7:01 a.m. on June 4, RCB posted a public invite on its official social media channels, announcing free entry to a city-wide victory celebration and parade.
“Unilaterally and without consultation/permission”
— Karnataka government, describing the post
The celebration was to begin at Vidhana Soudha and end at Chinnaswamy Stadium.
“Which would commence at Vidhana Soudha and conclude at Chinnaswamy Stadium”
— Karnataka government, quoting RCB’s social media
Fueling the turnout was a widely shared video clip featuring RCB icon Virat Kohli inviting fans to join the celebrations.
“The team intended to celebrate this victory with the people of Bengaluru city”
— Virat Kohli, cited in the report
The post received enormous engagement, drawing lakhs of views and triggering mass mobilisation across the city. By some estimates, over 300,000 people gathered across multiple locations, based on metro ridership and video evidence.
Overwhelmed infrastructure, stampede at the gates
Despite receiving no formal application from organizers, Bengaluru Police deployed 654 personnel, erected barricades, and issued advisories to limit public movement in key zones. But the crowd size far exceeded expectations.
Multiple gates at Chinnaswamy Stadium were breached, including Gates 1, 2, 2A, A, 6, 7, 15, 17, 18, 20, and 21. Stampedes broke out at several entry points around 3:30 p.m. The celebrations eventually began at 5:30 p.m. with a shortened program, as authorities feared public backlash if the event was abruptly cancelled.
The report noted that seven police personnel, including a DCP-level officer, were injured, and several victims were rushed to hospitals in police vehicles.
Government cites multiple safety violations
Citing the 2009 Licensing and Controlling of Assemblies and Processions Order, the report slammed organizers for procedural violations.
“It is pertinent to note that a mere intimation was given by the organisers.
There was no requisition for permissions in the prescribed format, nor was any necessary information provided to the concerned departments to anticipate the gathering and make adequate preparation.”
— Karnataka government report
“A lack of proper planning by the organisers and the failure to provide the necessary information in advance to the concerned authorities”
— Karnataka government, in its report to the High Court
In its formal response to the High Court, the government reinforced that no licenses or permissions were ever secured.
“Unilaterally decided to hold the victory celebration without prior consultation with the police and without obtaining the necessary permissions or licence for such celebrations”
— Karnataka government, responding to High Court queries
Legal fallout and ongoing investigation
The report also outlined disciplinary actions, including the suspension of five police officers, among them senior IPS official Vikash Kumar. However, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) later reversed these suspensions—prompting a strong rebuttal from state lawyers.
“What was the officer doing? Did he take any action? Instead of issuing prohibitory orders under the Police Act, they proceeded with bandobast arrangements for the celebration”
— Karnataka government’s lawyers in court
While the government’s report has been made public, the CID’s criminal investigation into the incident is still ongoing. Both RCB and DNA Networks officials have submitted their testimonies, and a final judgment date has yet to be announced.
Looking ahead: SOPs and accountability
In response to the tragedy, the Karnataka government has begun formulating a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for large public gatherings. The report also noted previous crowd assessments from RCB’s May 3 match, which drew 40,000 people—highlighting the sheer scale of June 4’s unplanned turnout.
The incident has sparked widespread debate on accountability and protocol in high-profile sports celebrations, particularly in cricket-crazy cities like Bengaluru.
As the fallout continues, the report stands as a stark indictment of how even a moment of sporting triumph—if mishandled—can turn into a day of national mourning.
