Bengaluru Stampede: DCP's Forewarning:
A jubilant celebration turned tragic on June 4, 2025, as a massive crowd gathered at Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium to celebrate the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) IPL 2025 title victory, resulting in a stampede that claimed 11 lives.
The Bengaluru stampede has triggered a wave of accusations and blame. Amidst this, a critical letter from Vidhana Soudha's DCP M.N. Karibasavangouda has surfaced, highlighting previous warnings to the Karnataka government under Siddaramaiah regarding crowd management, staffing inadequacies, and significant security risks.
Contents of the DCP's Warning:
On June 4, the DCP sent a letter to the Karnataka government predicting a massive turnout due to RCB's popularity, coupled with inadequate security staff. The gathering of large crowds could lead to unforeseen incidents.
The DCP recommended canceling public access passes in the letter and pointed out that CCTV surveillance around the Vidhana Soudha premises was incomplete, posing additional risks to security arrangements.
The letter mandated that platforms be inspected two hours prior by the Public Works Department, requiring fitness certification, and also called for separate certification for electrical equipment.
Read also: 'I want to stay...' Heartbroken father mourns at son's grave in Bengaluru stampede
The DCP highlighted coordination issues concerning traffic and law enforcement, and advocated calling in additional police forces from neighboring districts.
Negligence by Authorities and Consequences
Despite the DCP's warnings, governmental apathy prevailed with no concrete actions taken. Consequently, Bengaluru faced a significant tragedy, claiming 11 lives.
Resignations of Key Officials in the Aftermath
In the wake of the tragedy, two top KSCA (Karnataka State Cricket Association) officials, Secretary A. Shankar and Treasurer Jayaram Bhat, resigned.
Jayaram Bhat expressed readiness to fully cooperate with any inquiry, although no notice has been received yet from the government or High Court. Regardless, whenever proceedings commence, both the government and the court are assured of KSCA's full cooperation in the investigation.
