Tragic Incident Overshadows RCB's Historic IPL Victory

RCB's Historic Win and Subsequent Tragedy

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) made history by clinching their first IPL title. However, the joy of this monumental achievement turned to sorrow when a stampede occurred on June 4 during a victory parade in Bengaluru, resulting in the loss of 11 lives and leaving many injured. This tragic event has deeply affected the nation.

On June 3, 2025, RCB triumphed over Punjab Kings by a narrow margin of 6 runs to secure the IPL 2025 championship. The excitement among fans in Bengaluru was palpable, and a grand victory parade was scheduled for June 4. Initially planned as an open bus parade, the event's format was later altered. Unfortunately, before the parade could commence, the crowd became uncontrollable, leading to the stampede that claimed 11 lives and injured numerous others.

In the aftermath of the incident, RCB's management, along with the Karnataka State Cricket Association and the BCCI, distanced themselves from responsibility. The situation escalated further when the Karnataka High Court intervened, demanding a comprehensive report on the incident by June 10.

Following the tragedy, a First Information Report (FIR) was filed at the Cubbon Park police station against RCB, DNA Entertainment Networks, KSCA, and other unidentified individuals. Investigations revealed significant negligence in the planning of the victory parade. The police's first arrest in this case was Nikhil Sosale, RCB's marketing and revenue head.

On June 6, Nikhil was apprehended at Bengaluru Airport while allegedly attempting to flee to Mumbai. According to police reports, he played a crucial role in the parade's planning, but inadequate crowd management and security measures led to the chaos. Alongside him, three employees from the event management company, Kiran, Sumanth, and Sunil Mathew, were also taken into custody.