Tragic Stampede in Bengaluru: RCB Marketing Head and Event Staff Arrested
Arrests Made Following Fatal Stampede
Bengaluru: In a tragic incident near Chinnaswamy Stadium, four individuals, including the Marketing Head of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and staff from DNA Event Management, were apprehended on Friday. This follows a stampede that resulted in the loss of 11 lives.
The arrested include Nikhil Sosale, RCB's Marketing Head, along with Sunil Matthew, Kiran, and Sumanth from DNA Event Management, as confirmed by local authorities.
The arrests occurred during a coordinated operation at Bengaluru International Airport.
Additionally, police conducted searches at the homes of Shankar, Secretary of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), and Treasurer Jayaram.
The Cubbon Park police, who initiated the case, collaborated with the Central Crime Branch (CCB) for this operation.
The suspects were reportedly en route to Mumbai when they were detained. They are currently being interrogated at the Cubbon Park Police Station by the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) from Seshadripuram.
Despite not receiving approval for a victory parade, Sosale had shared a message on social media promoting the event, which he later deleted, according to police reports.
He also claimed that free tickets would be available at the stadium for the celebration, announcing that they could be collected at Gate numbers 9 and 10 at 1 PM on Wednesday, without making proper arrangements for distribution.
A post on the official RCB handle indicated that entry would begin at 3 PM, which led to an overwhelming crowd gathering, as reported by the police.
The DNA Company acted under Sosale's directives. Out of the 21 gates, only three were opened, resulting in chaos.
In response to the incident, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the suspension of five senior police officials, including the Bengaluru Police Commissioner and the DCP of Central Division, on June 4.
"Such an incident has not occurred since I became an MLA, minister, Deputy CM, and Chief Minister. This incident has deeply saddened us," he remarked.
The FIR filed by Karnataka Police alleges that the RCB franchise, DNA Event Management, and the KSCA Administrative Committee organized the victory celebration without the necessary permissions.
Charges in the FIR include culpable homicide not amounting to murder, voluntarily causing hurt, unlawful assembly, and other serious offenses under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.