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Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Karnataka high court bars police from widening RCB stampede probe for now
The Karnataka high court on Tuesday barred the state police from expanding the scope of its investigation beyond the initial first information report (FIR) registered in connection with the June 4 stampede at M Chinnaswamy Stadium that left 11 dead and several injured. The court also continued the restraint on the Bengaluru police from arresting officials of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), and event management firm DNA Entertainment in the case. Justice SR Krishna Kumar directed that, for the time being, police must confine their investigation to the offences mentioned in the first of three FIRs registered suo motu following the incident. The court extended the interim protection from arrest granted earlier to the senior officials of RCB, KSCA, and DNA Entertainment until July 8. The FIR, registered at the Cubbon Park Police Station in Bengaluru, names the KSCA management for alleged negligence during the crowd-control disaster that unfolded as thousands gathered to greet the RCB team following its first-ever IPL title win. It also charges them under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for the offence of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. While all three entities have been named in the FIRs, no specific individuals from any of the organisations have been identified as accused. The court also took note of the state government's submission that only the FIR currently under investigation by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) would be pursued. The direction came during hearings on pleas filed by RCB, DNA and KSCA seeking quashing of the FIRs. Their counsel argued that all three FIRs arose from the same incident and covered identical grounds, making multiple investigations unwarranted. The stampede took place on June 4 when an overwhelming crowd turned up at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru to witness RCB's IPL victory celebrations. According to the state, the stadium's capacity is around 30,000, but over two lakh people reportedly gathered outside and around the venue. The government has maintained that the tragedy was triggered by RCB's announcement of free passes for fans to attend the event. It alleged that RCB and DNA Entertainment failed to obtain the necessary permissions or put in place basic safety measures to control the massive turnout. Meanwhile, in parallel proceedings, a separate bench comprising by acting chief justice V Kameswar Rao and justice CM Joshi, hearing a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) into the incident, decided to implead RCB, DNA Entertainment and KSCA as parties to these proceedings. The bench also said it would appoint an amicus curiae to assist the court in examining the matter further. The state has already constituted a one-member judicial commission led by retired high court judge Justice JM Cunha to conduct an independent inquiry into the stampede. A separate magisterial inquiry is also underway. Last week, the state submitted a sealed cover status report on both inquiries before the division bench. The court on Tuesday said it will also consider whether the government can continue keeping the findings and interim reports confidential during the course of the proceedings.
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First Post
13-06-2025
- Sport
- First Post
Chinnaswamy stampede: Karnataka HC grants interim bail to senior RCB official Nikhil Sosale and DNA executives
Justice SR Krishna Kumar cited the 'absence of material' that could establish the involvement of RCB marketing and revenue head Sosale and three employees belonging to event management company DNA Entertainment in the deadly stampede at Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium on 4 June. read more Royal Challengers Bengaluru marketing and revenue head Nikhil Sosale was among four people arrested by Bengaluru Police on 6 June in connection with the stampede at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. PTI The Karnataka High Court granted interim bail to senior Royal Challengers Bengaluru official Nikhil Sosale on Thursday as well as three executives associated with event management company DNA Entertainment in connection with the Bengaluru stampede case. Sosale, marketing and revenue head of Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited, the company that owns RCB, had been arrested at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport on Friday, 6 June – two days after a deadly stampede broke out at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium where franchise was celebrating its maiden IPL title, which had left 11 dead and up to 75 injured. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Sunil Mathew and Kiran Kumar, Director and Event Manager of DNA Networks Private Limited, had also been taken into police custody for questioning along with Shamant NP Mavinakere, a freelancer associated with the organisation. Karnataka HC cites 'absence of material' while granting interim bail Justice SR Krishna Kumar of the Karnataka High Court, however, passed an order on Thursday in which he observed that Sosale and the others cannot remain in jail in the absence of material that could establish their involvement in events that led to the tragedy on 4 June. 'The petitioners herein who are officials / employees / directors of RCB and DNA cannot be equated with the said companies and in the absence of any material prior to their arrest to establish their involvement and participation in the event so as to cause the mishap, the petitioners cannot be held to be vicariously liable for the alleged offences especially when they are not even named as accused persons in the subject FIRs,' read an official statement from the Court on Bar and Bench. Sosale, who was catching a flight to Mumbai when he was nabbed by Bengaluru cops, had earlier described his arrest as 'arbitrary' and 'illegal' in his petition before the court. Before granting interim bail to Sosale and the DNA executives, the Karnataka HC had granted interim bail to senior officials belonging to the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), which owns the Chinnaswamy Stadium where RCB's title celebrations had turned tragic. KSCA secretary A Shankar and treasurer ES Jairam, however, had resigned on 7 June citing 'moral responsibility' over the incident. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A separate complaint had also been registered against RCB superstar Virat Kohli , in which social activist HM Venkatesh accused the former India captain of promoting 'gambling through IPL' which had 'incited' people to turn up in large numbers at the Chinnaswamy, and led to the stampede.
Hindustan Times
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
HC allows govt to file reply on stampede plea in sealed cover
The Karnataka high court on Tuesday allowed the state government's request to file its response in a sealed cover to questions posed by the court on the stampede that took place outside Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium that left 11 dead and over 50 injured. The state government told the court that it does not wish to make any public disclosures related to the June 4 tragedy. Instead, it sought the court's permission to file its response in a sealed cover, citing concerns that its submissions could be misused or prejudged. Appearing before a bench of acting chief justice V Kameswar Rao and justice CM Joshi during the hearing of a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL), advocate general (AG) Shashi Kiran Shetty said the government's stand is that no information should be placed on record in open court until the conclusion of two ongoing inquiries –– one by a magistrate and another by a one-member commission. 'Our concern is that our submissions are being used out of context — for instance, in bail petitions,' Shetty told the court. He pointed to the case of Nikhil Sosale, marketing head of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who was arrested after the stampede. Shetty said Sosale was now citing an earlier clerical error in the government's court filings to claim his arrest was illegal. The AG's submission came during the hearing of proceedings initiated suo motu by the high court on June 5, a day after the deadly incident at the stadium, where a massive crowd surge occurred during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) IPL victory celebrations. More than 200,000 people reportedly gathered outside a venue with a capacity of just 30,000. The court had previously asked the state to furnish detailed responses on key issues: who authorised the event, what crowd control and emergency measures were in place, and whether any advance assessment of the turnout had been made. Pressed on the delay in filing its response, the state said it would comply if the court insisted, but only by submitting it confidentially. The court accepted this request and granted time until June 12 for the sealed filing. In the immediate aftermath of the stampede, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah had ordered the 'immediate arrest' of officials associated with RCB, event organiser DNA Entertainment, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). Sosale was arrested shortly thereafter. In separate proceedings, Sosale has challenged his arrest on two key grounds: One, the alleged lack of legal authority with the Chief Minister to order it, and two, the fact that he was arrested by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) on city police instructions even after the case was transferred to the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Arguing Sosale's bail plea before a different bench on Tuesday, senior advocate Sandesh Chouta contended that Sosale had been 'selectively' targeted, while no criminal action was initiated against state officials involved in organising or authorising the event. AG Shetty again requested permission to file the government's reply in sealed cover in this case as well. Justice SR Krishna Kumar allowed the request and gave the State until June 11 to submit its justification for Sosale's arrest.
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Business Standard
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Karnataka HC denies interim relief to RCB's Sosale in stampede case
The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday denied interim relief to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) marketing head Nikhil Sosale in connection with the June 4 stampede at Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium that left 11 people dead and over 50 injured. Sosale, who was arrested on June 6 by the Central Crime Branch (CCB), challenged the legality of his arrest, alleging that the police action was politically motivated. According to a report by LiveLaw, Sosale maintained that there was no material evidence against him and that his name was not even mentioned in the FIR registered in the case. Appearing for the petitioner, Senior Advocate Sandesh Chouta argued that the Supreme Court has ruled that an individual cannot be detained if the arrest is found to be unlawful. Court examines role of CCB in arrest During the hearing, the High Court observed, 'CCB, notwithstanding being superior to this officer of Cubbon Park, did not have power to arrest in view of Sec 55.' Sosale's counsel questioned how the CCB became involved in the investigation when the Crime Investigation Department (CID) had been tasked with probing the stampede. 'CCB is not a police station but is said to be a superior officer in rank, as per a notification. They argue that CCB can conduct an investigation,' the lawyer said. The court further remarked that it was too early to determine whether an RCB social media post played a role in the deadly stampede. The observation came during a separate plea filed by RCB and event management firm DNA Entertainment, seeking to quash the FIR lodged against them. Arrests and political fallout Sosale was arrested along with three others, including employees of DNA Entertainment. The arrests followed a directive from Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who had ordered the Director General of Police and the Inspector General to take immediate action against officials from RCB, DNA Entertainment, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). Siddaramaiah had stated that there appeared to be 'irresponsibility' and 'carelessness' on the part of the organisers, warranting legal action. The High Court has listed the matter for further hearing on June 11.
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First Post
09-06-2025
- Sport
- First Post
RCB, DNA Entertainment get interim relief from Karnataka High Court in Chinnaswamy stampede case: 'It's too premature'
Royal Challengers Bengaluru and DNA Entertainment had moved Karnataka High Court on Monday, four days after Bengaluru Police filed an FIR against them in connection with the stampede at the Chinnaswamy Stadium last week that had left 11 dead. read more Royal Challengers Bengaluru's title celebration at Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday had to be cut short due to a stampede that had broken out outside the venue. AP The Karnataka High Court on Monday provided interim relief to Royal Challengers Bengaluru as well as DNA Entertainment while hearing their petitions against a criminal case filed in connection with the recent stampede at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium . RCB and DNA Entertainment had moved High Court on Monday seeking to quash a First Information Report that was filed by Bengaluru Police on Thursday, in which the Royal Challengers had been named as the first accused. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), which is headquartered at the Chinnaswamy Stadium and is in charge of the venue, was also named as an accused in the case. And on Monday, both parties filed separate petitions before the Karnataka High Court ; while RCB claimed that they have been falsely implicated in the case, DNA Entertainment blamed the lack of police cover at the iconic venue as the primary factor that led to the stampede and the eventual loss of lives. Later on the same day, the High Court adjourned the ongoing hearings concerning the two parties to Thursday, 12 June with Justice SR Krishna Kumar ordering police officials to not take any coercive action against anyone from either RCB or DNA until then. 'There is a gentleman's understanding – don't do anything till we take up the matter,' Justice Krishna Kumar told the Karnataka government, warning against unnecessary action. 'There's no independent case made out against RCB or DNA' Monday's hearing also witnessed a sharp exchange between CV Nagesh and Advocate General (AG) Shashikiran Shetty. While Nagesh was representing RCB and DNA, Shetty was representing the State of Karnataka. The former alleged that there was no prima facie case against his clients, and that the allegations were largely composite involving all three parties. 'Except for one sentence, the entire FIR makes composite allegations against all three. There's no independent case made out against RCB or DNA,' Nagesh said, while added that it was actually the Chief Minister of Karnataka Siddaramaiah who had invited everyone to RCB's felicitation event. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD AG Shetty, however, contended that it was RCB and DNA's social media posts that actually drew fans in large numbers at the Chinnaswamy, as well as the fact that they had done so without seeking prior permissions that led to the chaos. 'Thirteen crore people saw it,' the AG said, pointing the finger at Nagesh's clients on the parties responsible for spreading the word about the team's title celebrations. 'At 10.30 am, without informing the government, they tweeted that there would be a rally. Five lakh people came, and only 21 gates were there. If they had simply opened the gates, lives could have been saved,' he added. 'It's too premature': Karnataka HC Judge Justice Krishna Kumar, however, said it was 'too premature' for the High Court to be arriving at a conclusion this early. 'Today, we are not in a position to say whether it was the tweet or the CM's invitation or something else that caused the incident. It's too premature. We're only dealing with a plea for protection from arrest. 'Except for that one sentence about free passes, everything else seems to be composite. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'At one point, the AG expressed concern that the petitioners could destroy evidence if granted protection. 'The investigation will reveal who among the three – RCB, DNA, KSCA – is responsible. If it turns out the tweet had no impact, what then?' Justice Krishna Kumar added. The tragic incident at RCB's home ground had taken place on 4 June while Virat Kohli, captain Rajat Patidar and the rest of the squad was celebrating its historic victory over Punjab Kings in the IPL final in Ahmedabad on the previous night. The six-run victory over the Shreyas Iyer-led PBKS gave RCB their maiden IPL title after years of heart-breaks. Besides the FIR against RCB, DNA and KSCA, Bengaluru Police had arrested Royal Challengers marketing and revenue head Nikhil Sosale at the Kempegowda International Airport. Cops had also detained three executives belonging to DNA Entertainment, the organisation that had successfully conducted an open-top bus parade for the Indian cricket team at Mumbai's Marine Drive following their victory in the T20 World Cup last year. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Sosale has since approached the Karnataka High Court following his arrest, terming it illegal and arbitrary.
