Saturday, March 29, 2025
Karnataka Government Holds RCB Responsible for Stampede, Mentions Kohli’s Role
Bengaluru, July 17, 2025 – The Karnataka government has officially blamed Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), event organizers, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) for the deadly stampede on June 4 that killed 11 people and injured over 50. The findings were part of a court-ordered report made public after the government’s appeal to keep it confidential was rejected by the Karnataka High Court.
RCB, Organizers Failed in Coordination
RCB and DNA Entertainment (event organizers) did not properly coordinate with police or KSCA.
Police were informed but not asked for permission, which is mandatory 7 days in advance.
Free Entry Announcement & Kohli’s Video
RCB invited fans for a “free entry” celebration without consulting authorities.
Virat Kohli’s video, posted on June 4 morning, encouraged fans to join the event, leading to a massive rush.
Over 3 lakh people gathered, overwhelming unprepared security and management.
Last-Minute Rules & Chaos
At 3:14 PM, organizers announced that entry passes were mandatory, causing panic.
Late gate openings, poor crowd management, and lack of coordination worsened the situation.
The High Court directed the government to make the report public.
The government initially appealed to keep it confidential, fearing backlash, but the court rejected the plea.
✔ RCB – For reckless invitation & poor planning.
✔ DNA Entertainment – For failing to seek proper permissions.
✔ KSCA – For inadequate coordination with police.
✔ Virat Kohli’s Video – Indirectly contributed to the crowd surge.
The tragedy has raised questions about safety protocols for public events.
RCB and organizers have not yet commented on the report.
Conclusion:
The stampede was a result of multiple failures—poor planning, last-minute changes, and unchecked crowd buildup. With the report now public, legal action against those responsible is expected.
