Karnataka Cricket Body Blames the Government for Giving a Green Signal to Rcb’s Trophy Celebration

The KSCA refused to claim responsibility for the Chinnaswamy stadium stampede, instead blaming the state government for allowing the celebration.

Karnataka Cricket Body Blames the Government for Giving a Green Signal to Rcb’s Trophy Celebration

Karnataka cricket board dispensed responsibility for the stampede that occurred outside the Chinnaswamy stadium, during RCB's IPL victory celebrations. (via Times of India)

The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) denied responsibility for the tragic stampede that occurred outside Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium during RCB’s IPL winning parade. It instead, blamed the state government for allowing the team to hold such a celebratory event.

RCB’s victory celebration, following their maiden IPL triumph this year turned sour, after a stampede outside the team’s home ground, claimed 11 lives and left 50 others gravely injured. It occurred after an overwhelming number of RCB fans, on Wednesday, beyond the stadium’s existing capacity of 35,000 spectators, showed up to become a part of the team’s victory celebrations.

The Chinnaswamy event was a part of the day-long celebration announced by the franchise, which even included a city-wide bus parade with the players, the support staff and the 2025 IPL trophy. The players and support staff members were felicitated by Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at the Vidhana Soudha, following which they travelled to the Chinnaswamy for the latter part of the celebrations. 

A huge crowd outside the stadium tried to make its way into the stadium. Barricades and several other temporary structures collapsed and a stampede followed. Visuals showed injured people being carried to the hospital, while celebrations continued in the stadium, while eyewitnesses suggest that supporters tripped and fell, while attempting to enter the stadium through gate no. 17, which was hurriedly opened.

A First Information Reports (FIR) has now been filed by a victim, against RCB, DNA Entertainment Private Limited, the agency behind the organization of the event, and the KSCA. As stated by the victim, who fractured his right shoulder after getting caught in the stampede, he noted that the negligence of the organizers, who failed to make proper arrangements and provide facilities, is what led to the ruckus.

Four officials of RCB and DNA agency have also been taken into custody, following CM Siddaramaiah’s swift instructions to the authorities to hold the team, the event organisers and the KSCA responsible for their ‘carelessness’. 

However, chiding away all allegations of negligence, the KSCA denied responsibility for the stampede, and asserted that it was not involved in the organization, or handling the crowds. KSCA stated:

The decision to hold the event was taken by the government. It was conducted at Vidhana Soudha, not at Chinnaswamy Stadium.

The association instead held the state government accountable for approving to the celebrations, while even pointing to the fact that the event was attended by some of the state’s top officials, including the CM. KSCA added that its role was limited to renting out the Chinnaswamy stadium for the event. The Karnataka cricket board also expressed concern over being unfairly targeted by the government.

The FIRs filed against the KCSA, however paints a completely different picture about the board’s role, stating that KSCA went forward with the event, despite being initially denied permission to hold the event by Bengaluru police. Despite the allegations, the high court has granted interim protection from arrest to key officials of the association in connection to the stampede. 

Troubles mount for Virat Kohli, as RCB star named in complaint filed over the Chinnaswamy incident

RCB batter and Indian cricket star Virat Kohli, faces trouble, after a complaint was filed against him by a Karnataka-based activist over the stampede that occurred outside the Chinnaswamy stadium. The tragic incident occurred while Kohli and his RCB teammates were celebrating their first IPL triumph.

RCB Virat Kohli complaint filed
A complaint has been filed against RCB star Virat Kohli, over the Chinnaswamy stadium stampede. (via India Today)

HM Venkatesh, an activist from Karnataka’s Shivamogga district, has lodged a complaint against Kohli at Cubbon Park police station in Bengaluru, close to where the incident occurred outside the stadium. The complainant has received an assurance from the police that the matter would be investigated as a part of the FIR that has been filed against RCB franchise following the stampede. 

So far, a total of three FIRs have been filed in connection with the stampede. Meanwhile, rumors have emerged over Kohli having possibly departed India for London, following RCB 2025 IPL triumph and the unfortunate events that followed, leaving many fans enraged.