Activist accuses Karnataka CM, DCM of being responsible for Bengaluru stampede, files complaint. Details: Report
The Bengaluru stampede controversy has taken a new turn, with advocate-activist TJ Abraham lodging a formal complaint against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar at Bengaluru's Cubbon Park Police station, holding them responsible for the tragedy, The Indian Express reported.
The tragic stampede at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, which left 11 dead and over 60 injured, occurred at the front of the premises, where a large number of people thronged to participate in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) team's IPL victory celebrations.
Abraham's complaint named as many as 14 individuals, including Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, DPAR Secretary Sathyavathi G, KSCA CEO Shubendu Ghosh, RCB Senior Director Menon Vijayan Rajesh, and DNA Entertainment Networks MD Thimmaiah Venkata Varadhana. High-ranking police officers, Home Minister G Parameshwara, and Additional Chief Secretary Tushar Girinath were also listed, the report stated.
According to Abraham, Shivakumar allegedly used the event for personal gain and political optics, suggesting he was in talks to acquire a stake in the RCB franchise. He claimed the Deputy CM planned two last-minute public events to draw media attention, disregarding safety concerns.
Abraham also alleged that the police had prepared for a victory parade, but Shivakumar's last-minute changes disrupted plans. He accused Chief Secretary Rajneesh of misusing public funds to support the event, arguing that these actions prioritized publicity over public safety, according to the report.
He blamed a senior police officer, Shekar H Tekkannavar (former DCP Central), of deliberately keeping stadium gates closed under Shivakumar's instructions to create a crowd spectacle as he arrived.
Four individuals tied to event organization, including RCB's Marketing Head Nikhil Sosale and DNA Networks staff, were arrested and later released on bail.
Abraham was last in the news for being one of the petitioners who had urged Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to permit investigation against CM Siddaramaiah in the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam.
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