Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is under fire after a Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) report pinned primary responsibility for the deadly stampede outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4 squarely on the IPL franchise and its event partner, DNA Networks.
The chaos unfolded during a hastily organized IPL victory celebration following RCB‘s maiden title win. Eleven lives were lost and over 50 individuals injured in the stampede that resulted from a massive, uncontrolled crowd descending on the stadium.
According to the tribunal’s findings, the franchise failed to obtain police permission before promoting the event, triggering overwhelming public turnout. As the CAT noted:
“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.”
Social media posts seen by millions, crowd exceeds 300,000
RCB posted about the parade early on June 4, generating viral engagement across platforms.
“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 official capacity of Chinnaswamy Stadium is just 35,000.
“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.”
Tribunal criticizes RCB’s last-minute planning
Authorities stressed the lack of preparation time available to law enforcement due to the sudden nature of RCB’s announcement.
“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 Tribunal found that even a letter from DNA Networks to the police on June 3 did not constitute a formal request for approval, noting, “The organiser did not wait for the response of the Police,” and, “At the eleventh hour, they submitted a letter and started the scheduled programme.”
‘Nuisance without prior permission,’ says CAT
RCB’s actions were termed unlawful and careless by the judicial panel.
“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 exonerated, suspension order overturned
The CAT also rebuked the Karnataka government’s suspension of senior police officials, including IPS officer Vikash Kumar Vikash, who challenged the action in court.
“[The suspension order] has been passed in a mechanical manner and the order is not based upon any convincing materials. The police officers have been suspended without any sufficient material or grounds.”
In a vivid defense of the overwhelmed police force, the tribunal added:
“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.”
RCB’s communications amplified the crisis
The tribunal cited specific RCB social media content as key contributors to the crowd swell. Posts featured lines like, “Army, We can’t wait to be back to the Home of Champions and celebrate with all of you today. Details out soon,” while simultaneously urging followers to “follow guidelines set by police and other authorities.”
Despite this disclaimer, the tribunal concluded the messaging “implied” the event was “open to all,” and noted RCB acted “unilaterally” without securing official “consent” or “permission.”
RCB not party to tribunal proceedings
While the tribunal’s remarks do not directly implicate RCB in any criminal liability—as they were not part of the administrative tribunal proceedings—they come amid a separate state-led inquiry by former High Court Justice Michael da Cunha.
As the CAT concluded, “Therefore, prima facie it appears that RCB is responsible for the gathering of about three to five lakh people,” adding, “Suddenly, RCB created the aforesaid type of nuisance without any prior permission.”
The ruling, though not legally binding on the franchise, represents a stinging public rebuke of RCB’s planning and conduct in what was meant to be a celebration of triumph.
