Bengaluru Stampede Fallout: Two KSCA Officials Step Down After Tragedy

National News: Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Secretary A. Shankar and Treasurer tendered their resignations. The Tragedy which claimed 11 lives and injured over 50 during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) IPL 2025 victory celebrations.  on X, follow intense public and legal scrutiny. An FIR filed against KSCA, RCB, and event organizers DNA Entertainment under charges like culpable homicide has fueled outrage, with the Karnataka High Court granting interim protection to KSCA officials until June 16. The tragedy, sparked by chaotic crowd management during RCB’s felicitation, has led to calls for accountability and heightened political tensions in Karnataka.

Responsibility Amid Chaos

The stampede occurred as thousands of fans gathered to celebrate RCB’s first IPL title after defeating Punjab Kings on June 3, 2025. Poor crowd control at Chinnaswamy Stadium, exacerbated by inadequate planning despite an estimated 2.5 lakh attendees, led to chaos at multiple gates, particularly Gate 15, where victims like 15-year-old Divyanshi perished. Shankar and Jairam, in their statement, acknowledged their limited role, noting KSCA only leased the stadium to RCB’s parent company, Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited, and assisted with permissions. 

Political and Public Backlash

The incident has ignited a political firestorm, with the BJP demanding Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar’s resignations, accusing the Congress government of negligence, as noted by  on X. Siddaramaiah countered, emphasizing suspended officers’ failures and ordering arrests of RCB and DNA Entertainment representatives. The Karnataka High Court, taking suo motu cognizance, directed a status report by June 10, while the investigation was handed to the Criminal Investigation Department. Many Users demands stricter safety protocols, with victims’ families, like Divyanshi’s, highlighting delayed police response. The resignations mark a step toward accountability, but ongoing probes and upcoming KSCA elections will shape the fallout of this tragedy, underscoring the need for robust event planning.