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The euphoria that gripped Bengaluru following the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) historic maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) victory on June 4, 2025, has been tragically overshadowed by a deadly stampede. What began as a joyous celebration outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium descended into chaos, claiming the lives of at least 11 individuals and leaving over 70 injured. The incident has not only plunged the city into mourning but has also ignited a fierce debate about accountability and the future of RCB in the IPL, with calls for a ban on the newly crowned champions gaining traction.
The catastrophic celebration in Bengaluru
The tragic events unfolded during a planned felicitation ceremony for the victorious RCB team. The original plan for a grand victory parade through Bengaluru, culminating in fan celebrations at the stadium, was reportedly altered at the last minute due to police concerns about crowd control. This short-notice cancellation of the parade from Vidhana Soudha, while intended to mitigate risks, instead created significant confusion and bottlenecks. Despite a heavy police presence, witnesses described the scene as unmanageable, with tens of thousands of fervent fans converging from all directions, desperate to catch a glimpse of their cricketing heroes. As the immense pressure mounted at the stadium gates, panic set in, leading to the stampede and multiple fatalities due to crushing and suffocation.
In the immediate aftermath, the Karnataka government initiated a swift investigation, filing police reports against RCB, event organizer DNA Entertainment, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), the stadium operator. Authorities have alleged that the franchise and its associates proceeded with the event without obtaining the necessary police permissions and, critically, ignored prior warnings regarding crowd safety. The seriousness of the situation was further highlighted by the suspension of several police officers and the arrest of RCB’s marketing head as the legal inquiry intensified.
Calls for sanctions on RCB
The tragedy has prompted a multi-pronged response from various official and judicial bodies, each weighing in on the culpability and potential consequences. The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has placed primary blame squarely on RCB, asserting that the franchise’s last-minute social media announcements and a glaring lack of coordination with the police created an unmanageable situation. The CAT’s ruling unequivocally stated, “RCB did not take the appropriate permission or consent from the police. Suddenly, they posted on social media … Because of a shortage of time, the police were unable to make the appropriate arrangements.”
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Further compounding RCB’s woes, the BCCI Ombudsman has also sought written replies from both RCB and KSCA. This follows serious complaints alleging “gross negligence and violation of safety norms,” with some calls even advocating for RCB’s suspension from future IPL tournaments. The BCCI, while distancing itself from direct control over post-tournament celebrations, has acknowledged “serious lapses” in Bengaluru’s event organization, signaling that stricter protocols for such events may be implemented in future years.
The spectre of a ban or suspension looms large over RCB, a development that would be unprecedented in the IPL’s history. There has even been speculation that RCB’s current ownership might consider offloading the franchise to distance themselves from the controversy. As the 2026 IPL season planning commences, the findings of the tribunal and the ongoing investigation continue to keep the club and its management under intense scrutiny.
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