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A tragic turn of events has deeply marred Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) historic Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 title celebrations. A massive stampede outside Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4 claimed the lives of 11 individuals and left at least 64 injured, transforming a moment of triumph into profound tragedy. In the immediate aftermath, Bengaluru Police have moved swiftly, arresting Nikhil Sosale, RCB’s marketing and revenue head, along with three key officials from the event management company, DNA Entertainment Networks, as investigations into the horrific incident gain significant momentum.
The devastating incident has cast a long shadow over RCB’s long-awaited maiden IPL title, secured after 18 years of relentless pursuit. The team’s victory parade, planned just hours after their triumphant win over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the final, was intended to be a joyous public display. However, the celebrations quickly spiralled into chaos as an unmanageable crowd gathered, leading to the catastrophic surge.
Who is Nikhil Sosale?
Nikhil Sosale, born on August 18, 1986, is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in the dynamic fields of sports and beverage marketing and revenue generation. At the time of his arrest, he served as the influential Head of Marketing and Revenue for RCB, operating under the umbrella of Diageo India. Diageo India is the parent company of United Spirits Limited, which holds ownership of the popular RCB franchise.
Sosale’s extensive tenure with RCB dates back to 2012, during which he has played pivotal roles across various crucial departments, including commercial operations, strategic business partnerships, and marketing initiatives.
His ascent to his current leadership position as Head of Marketing and Revenue occurred in September 2023, reflecting his significant contributions to the franchise.
Academically, Sosale holds a double major in business, having completed his studies at James Cook University between 2008 and 2010. He is married to Malvika Nayak, a professional who heads business development at Innoz Technologies. Sosale is a widely recognized figure at RCB matches, frequently seen engaging with team members, prominent personalities, and celebrities in the stands, underscoring his deep-rooted connection and visible presence within the franchise.
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The catastrophic stampede incident
The stampede, which tragically unfolded on June 4, 2025, occurred when tens of thousands of exuberant fans converged outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. They had gathered with immense anticipation for RCB’s planned victory parade. According to preliminary reports from police sources, the RCB management had publicly announced details of the parade through various social media channels. Crucially, this announcement was made before the franchise had secured official permission from the relevant authorities for such a large-scale public gathering. It has since been confirmed that permission was subsequently denied due to grave safety concerns regarding crowd control and potential risks.
The premature and viral spread of the announcement, coupled with the immense public excitement surrounding RCB’s historic win, resulted in an unexpectedly massive crowd. This overwhelming influx of people far exceeded the capacity of the available security personnel and the pre-existing crowd control measures, leading directly to the uncontrollable surge and the subsequent tragic stampede.
Sosale’s arrest at the Bengaluru airport
Nikhil Sosale was apprehended by Bengaluru Police at Kempegowda International Airport early Friday morning, reportedly as he was attempting to board a flight bound for Mumbai. In a parallel development, three other key officials from DNA Entertainment Networks – identified as Sunil Mathew, Kiran Kumar and Sumanth – were also taken into custody. The Karnataka government, which has faced intense public scrutiny and mounting criticism over the alleged mismanagement surrounding the celebratory event, has responded by suspending several senior police officers, including the Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda.
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