Karnataka HC to Hear Bengaluru Stampede Case Today: 11 Lives Lost in RCB Celebration Chaos

Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium, the heart of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) historic IPL 2025 victory celebrations, became the site of a tragic stampede that claimed 11 lives and injured 47 fans. The Karnataka High Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the disaster, scheduling a hearing to probe the lapses that led to the chaos. As the city mourns, the court’s intervention follows public outrage over mismanagement, with an estimated 2-3 lakh fans overwhelming security during the RCB felicitation event. 

A Tragic Turn of Events

The stampede occurred during a chaotic attempt to celebrate RCB’s maiden IPL title win against Punjab Kings. By noon on June 4, thousands had gathered near Vidhana Soudha, where the team was felicitated, and M Chinnaswamy Stadium, expecting a victory parade. Misinformation about free entry passes, amplified by a now-deleted RCB social media post suggesting a 5:00 PM parade, drew an unmanageable crowd far exceeding the stadium’s 35,000 capacity. At 4:00 PM, as fans surged toward Gate 3, barriers collapsed, leading to a deadly crush. Eyewitnesses described harrowing scenes of women, children, and elderly fans falling underfoot, with some attempting CPR amidst the chaos. 

The Karnataka government, caught off-guard, canceled the parade earlier but failed to anticipate the crowd’s scale. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RCB players, including Virat Kohli, expressed grief, while the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) faces scrutiny for poor planning. The High Court’s hearing today aims to uncover the sequence of events and ensure such tragedies are prevented, as Bengaluru grapples with its loss.

Calls for Accountability and Reform

The opposition BJP, led by figures like BY Vijayendra, has slammed the Congress government, alleging negligence and demanding a judicial probe. A letter dated June 3, accessed by media, revealed KSCA’s request for a Vidhana Soudha event was opposed by police, yet the felicitation proceeded. The court will likely review this, alongside the 11 FIRs filed for unnatural deaths. Public sentiment, voiced on social media, demands stricter event protocols, with hashtags like #RCBTragedy trending.

The magisterial inquiry, led by IAS officer G. Jagadeesha, has 15 days to identify culprits and lapses. As the High Court hearing unfolds, Bengaluru seeks justice for the victims, including a young student and a child, and reforms to ensure public safety at large gatherings, turning grief into a resolve for systemic change