Bengaluru, June 5, 2025

The Karnataka High Court will today hear a suo motu case regarding the deadly stampede that occurred outside Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4 during the IPL victory parade of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The stampede left at least 11 people dead and over 25 injured, raising serious concerns over crowd control and public safety at large-scale events.

A division bench headed by Acting Chief Justice V. Kameswar Rao and Justice C.M. Joshi has taken suo motu cognizance of the incident and scheduled the matter for urgent hearing at 2:30 PM today. The court has sought an initial report from the state government on the circumstances that led to the tragedy.

The stampede occurred when a massive crowd assembled outside the stadium to join RCB’s celebratory parade following their first Indian Premier League title win. The crowd reportedly swelled beyond anticipated numbers, and a sudden surge near one of the entry gates led to panic and chaos.

Several eyewitnesses claimed that the lack of barricading and inadequate police deployment contributed to the situation spiraling out of control. Visuals from the scene showed emergency responders attempting to resuscitate victims and rush injured persons to nearby hospitals.

State Government Orders Magisterial Inquiry

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah termed the incident “deeply saddening and unacceptable.” He announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh for the families of the deceased and directed a full magisterial inquiry into the incident.

Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara stated that crowd management protocols would be re-evaluated, and departmental accountability will be fixed. Officials from the BBMP and Bengaluru City Police have been asked to submit detailed reports.

Court Expected to Examine Crowd Management Protocols

At today’s hearing, the High Court is expected to question civic authorities, the police department, and event organizers on preparedness, crowd estimates, and risk mitigation. Legal experts suggest the court may also frame interim safety guidelines to be followed for future mass gatherings.

Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty is likely to present the state’s preliminary response in court.

Political Fallout and Public Outrage

The tragedy has sparked political criticism with opposition parties blaming the government for poor planning and absence of adequate safety measures. BJP leaders have called for the resignation of responsible officials and a judicial probe monitored by the High Court.

Social media has seen an outpouring of grief and anger, with citizens demanding greater accountability from local authorities.

International Leaders Extend Condolences

Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, currently on a private visit to India, also expressed condolences over the tragedy. In a brief statement, he said, “Akshata and I mourn with Bengaluru today. This is a devastating incident that should never have happened.”

The High Court hearing today is expected to set the tone for a broader inquiry into public safety mechanisms in Karnataka. The outcome could shape new legal standards for crowd management at public events and sports parades.