Arrests Made Following Bengaluru Stadium Stampede Tragedy
Arrests in Connection with Bengaluru Stampede
On Friday, authorities in Karnataka apprehended four individuals, including a representative from the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, linked to the tragic stampede outside Chinnaswamy Stadium that resulted in 11 fatalities and over 50 injuries.
Nikhil Sosale, the marketing head for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, along with Sunil Mathew, Kiran, and Sumanth from the event management company DNA Entertainment Networks, were taken into custody at Kempegowda International Airport in the city.
This development followed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's announcement on Thursday, stating that the state government had mandated the arrest of officials from the Karnataka State Cricket Association, DNA Entertainment Networks, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru due to the incident.
A first information report was lodged at the Cubbon Park Police Station earlier that day, citing allegations of criminal negligence that contributed to the stampede.
According to unnamed police sources, officials from the Karnataka State Cricket Association had been evading capture since Thursday night.
The stampede occurred on Wednesday at Gate Number 3 of the stadium, where fans had gathered to celebrate the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's victory in the Indian Premier League.
On Thursday, Siddaramaiah announced the suspension of Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda and several other officers, as reported by local media.
Seemanth Kumar Singh, the Additional Director-General of Police for the Bengaluru Metropolitan Task Force, has been appointed to succeed Dayananda.
In addition to Dayananda, several other police officials, including the Additional Commissioner of Police (West) Vikash Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Shekhar Tekkanavar, and others, were also suspended.
“The issue was discussed with senior ministers and legal advisor AS Ponnanna,” the chief minister stated. “We believe the police acted irresponsibly and with negligence. This incident has deeply affected us all.”
The investigation will be transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department, with the chief minister noting that there appeared to be negligence on the part of the police.
A judicial inquiry will also be conducted by a one-man commission led by former Karnataka High Court judge Michael D’Cunha.
Earlier on Thursday, the Karnataka High Court took notice of the incident and requested a status report from the state government.
State Home Minister G Parameshwara previously claimed that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and the Karnataka State Cricket Association initiated the victory event, with the state government merely facilitating it.
Siddaramaiah reiterated that the state did not request the celebration from RCB or KSCA, asserting that they organized the event independently.
He estimated that between 200,000 to 300,000 people attended the victory march at a stadium with a capacity of only 35,000.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has called for the resignations of both Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar.
In response to the tragedy, Royal Challengers Bengaluru announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for each of the families of the deceased and stated that they would establish a fund, RCB Cares, to assist those injured.
“This unfortunate incident has caused immense sorrow to the RCB family. Our fans will always be at the core of our efforts,” the team expressed in a social media statement.