Latest news with #DNAEntertainmentNetworks
India Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
3-year jail term, Rs 5,000 fine: Karnataka proposes crowd control law
The Karnataka government has proposed a new legislation, Karnataka Crowd Control Bill, 2025, in the aftermath of the June 4 stampede in draft bill, which was taken up for discussion in a cabinet meeting today, aims to regulate large gatherings and prevent any such incidents in the future. The draft law proposes stringent penalties, including up to three years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000 fine for draft proposes to regulate and manage crowds at 'sponsored events and mass gatherings' in Karnataka — such as political rallies, and conferences. However, the bill exempts traditional and religious gatherings such as fairs, Rathotsava (chariot festivals), Pallakki Utsava (palanquin processions), boat festivals (Teppada Teru or Teppotsava), Urs (also called as Urus) events, and other religious the Karnataka Crowd Control Bill, anyone who disobeys police orders or violates the law can be punished with imprisonment or fine, or both. For commercial event planners — like those organising sports or circus shows — stricter penalties apply if they fail to get police permission, cannot manage the crowd, don't compensate for any harm caused, or violate the law in any such cases, the punishment can be up to three years in jail, a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh, or both. If an event leads to death or injury because of missing permissions or negligence by the organiser, it is treated as a punishable offence. All offences under this law are non-cognisable, non-bailable and will be handled by a first-class to the draft bill, the government constitutes 'Event Planners' as individuals or groups organising mass gatherings, as notified by the government, while 'Crowd' is explained as a large, often unruly gathering at notified events like political rallies or bill is expected to get a green signal at the next cabinet Congress-led Karnataka government faced heavy criticism after the stampede, in which 11 people died and over 60 others were injured. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar, especially faced backlash for what people called 'utter mismanagement' and crowd government, on its part, suspended top police officials in the city and arrested four individuals – Royal Challengers Bengaluru's marketing head and three connected with the event organiser DNA Entertainment Networks.
Hindustan Times
13-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Karnataka HC grants bail to Sosale, three more in stampede case
The Karnataka high court on Thursday granted bail to Nikhil Sosale, head of marketing at Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), and three others, observing that they were all arrested illegally, without any credible evidence or investigation linking them to the June 4 crush at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru that killed 11 people and injured over 50 others. Justice SR Krishna Kumar said the police 'had neither conducted any investigation nor produced any credible material' to show they had reason to believe that Sosale and the other petitioners were involved in the alleged offences at the time of their arrest. The judge further said that merely holding top positions in the organisations was not enough to justify the petitioners' arrest, especially when they were not named in the FIRs and no material was presented to establish their direct involvement in the incident. Besides Sosale, the court granted bail to Sunil Mathew, Kiran Kumar S, and Shamant NP Mavinakere, all employees of the event management company DNA Entertainment Networks, who were also arrested in the same case. The court directed that all four be released from judicial custody upon surrendering their passports. Justice Kumar observed that since the mandatory conditions under Section 35(1)(c) of the BNSS, 2023 that pertain to arresting someone without a warrant, were not met in the present case, the arrests made by the CCB following directions of the city police were prima facie illegal and arbitrary. 'The impugned arrest of the petitioners is clearly contrary to law and facts and prima facie illegal and arbitrary and the petitioners are entitled to interim bail in the present petitions,' the court said. Justice Krishna Kumar had reserved the verdict on the bail applications filed by Sosale and the others on June 11. At the time, senior advocate Sandesh Chouta, appearing for Sosale, had argued that his client was being unfairly held responsible. Sosale was not a decision maker, but only an employee and hence, there can be no vicarious liability, Chouta had argued. Opposing the bail plea, Advocate General (AG) Shashi Kiran Shetty had argued that RCB bore full responsibility for the stampede that killed 11 people and injured over 50 others. The AG had said the team's last-minute social media posts, including announcements about free passes and open invitations, had triggered the massive and unmanageable crowd outside the stadium that ultimately led to the deadly stampede. When asked by the court if the government's position was that RCB was entirely responsible, the AG had replied in the affirmative. He had then cited an agreement between RCB, BCCI, and DNA Entertainment to show that RCB and DNA were responsible for all arrangements inside the statement as well as crowd management. Sosale and the others have also challenged the legality of their arrest, alleging it was politically motivated and violated constitutional norms.
Scroll.in
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Scroll.in
Bengaluru stampede: Karnataka HC seeks sealed status report from state government
The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday ordered the state government to submit, in a sealed cover, its status report on the stampede in Bengaluru, The Indian Express reported. Eleven persons were killed and more than 50 were injured on June 4 in the stampede near the Chinnaswamy Stadium, where fans had gathered to celebrate Royal Challengers Bengaluru's victory in the Indian Premier League and welcome the team. On June 5, the court took suo motu cognisance of the incident and issued a notice to the Congress government in the state. It also sought a status report from the Karnataka government. The suo motu petition and three other related pleas were heard by Acting Chief Justice V Kameshwar Rao and Justice CM Joshi on Tuesday, the Hindustan Times reported. During the hearing, Karnataka Advocate General KM Shashikiran Shetty told the court that the government would not like to place information on probe findings in the public domain while the judicial inquiry is underway, The Indian Express reported. Shetty also submitted that a judicial commission has been formed to investigate the incident, PTI reported. The commission has to submit its findings within a month. Shetty added that police officers were also suspended over the stampede. The court will hear the matter again on Thursday. On June 5, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had suspended Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda and several police officers. He had also ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident. On Friday, the Karnataka Police arrested Nikhil Sosale, the marketing head of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, along with event management firm DNA Entertainment Networks' Sunil Mathew, Kiran and Sumanth in connection with the stampede. This came hours after Siddaramaiah said that the state government had ordered the arrest of representatives from the Karnataka State Cricket Association, DNA Entertainment Networks and Royal Challengers Bengaluru for the stampede. On Monday, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and DNA Entertainment Networks filed separate petitions in the court seeking to quash the criminal case filed against them after the incident, according to The Indian Express.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Who is Nikhil Sosale? The RCB marketing head who tried to 'flee' Bengaluru
Nikhil Sosale NEW DELHI: Bengaluru police have arrested Nikhil Sosale, marketing head of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), along with three executives from DNA Entertainment Networks, in a late-night operation linked to the Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede. The tragedy during RCB's victory celebrations claimed 11 lives and left 75 injured. Sosale, often seen on television alongside cricket players during matches, was intercepted at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) while attempting to fly to Mumbai. Who is Nikhil Sosale According to his LinkedIn profile, Nikhil Sosale is a marketing and revenue leader with over 15 years of experience in the sports and beverage industries. He has been associated with RCB since 2012 and currently serves as Head of Marketing and Revenue at Diageo India, RCB's principal sponsor, a position he has held since September 2023. His professional journey includes several pivotal roles: Senior Executive at UB Sports Marketing Business (2010 to June 2012) Manager - Commercial & Operations (2012–2014) Senior Manager - Commercial, Marketing, Operations ( 2014–2016) Lead: Business & Commercial Operations (2016–2017) Head of Business Partnerships (2017–2023) Head of Marketing & Revenue (2023–Present) The police operation comes amid ongoing investigations into the management and safety arrangements during the mass celebrations at Chinnaswamy Stadium that turned tragic. Investigations continue as authorities seek clarity on the causes and responsibility for the deadly stampede. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
Bengaluru stampede: CM Siddaramaiah orders crackdown on organisers, police
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday announced that the organisers of Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) IPL victory event—including representatives of event management firm DNA Entertainment Networks and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA)—will be arrested in connection with the stampede at Chinnaswamy Stadium that killed 11 people. The state government also suspended senior police officers, including the Commissioner of Police, the Additional Commissioner of Police, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Division), and officers of the Cubbon Park Police Station. Siddaramaiah further confirmed that a judicial inquiry, headed by retired High Court judge Justice Michael D'Cunha, has been ordered to investigate the tragedy. The action follows the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) against RCB, DNA Entertainment Networks, KSCA, and others. High Court steps in Earlier in the day, the Karnataka High Court took suo motu cognisance of the incident and registered a case. The next hearing is scheduled for June 10. What happened at RCB's victory event? A massive crowd had gathered outside Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday to celebrate RCB's first IPL championship. The celebration turned tragic when a stampede broke out, killing 11 and injuring 33. Siddaramaiah said the stampede began when crowds forced their way through a narrow stadium gate. 'A large number of people gathered and broke the gate, which led to the stampede,' he said. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said the event was cut short as the situation deteriorated. 'We urge people to stay calm. The programme concluded within 10 minutes. We are working to restore normalcy... Lakhs had turned up,' he said.
