Bengaluru stampede: CAT said RCB Prima Facie Responsible for event

Bengaluru stampede: The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Bengaluru Bench, has indeed issued a significant ruling regarding the Bengaluru stampede that occurred on June 4, 2025. Bengaluru stampede: CAT said Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Prima Facie Responsible for event.

The CAT has stated that Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is “prima facie responsible” for the massive gathering that led to the stampede. The tribunal noted that RCB did not obtain prior permission or consent from the police before suddenly posting information about the IPL victory celebrations on social media platforms. This action, the CAT observed, “created nuisance without any prior permission.”

Police Not to Blame for Chaos:

The tribunal strongly defended the police, emphasizing that they cannot be expected to manage a crowd of “three to five lakh people” within a mere 12 hours. The CAT remarked that police personnel are “neither ‘God (Bhagwan)’ nor Magician and also not having the magic powers like ‘Alladdin ka Chirag’ which was able to fulfil any wish only by rubbing a finger.”

Suspension of IPS Officer Quashed:

In a major development, the CAT quashed the Karnataka government’s suspension order against Additional Commissioner of Police (West) Vikash Kumar Vikash, who was one of the officers suspended in the wake of the stampede.

The tribunal found that the suspension was not based on “sufficient or substantial materials” and that the police were not given adequate time to prepare for such a large, unpermitted event. The CAT also suggested that the findings in Vikash Kumar’s case could be extended to other similarly suspended officers, potentially paving the way for their reinstatement.

This ruling is seen as a significant setback for the Karnataka State government, which had publicly blamed police inaction and suspended several officers following the tragedy. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had himself announced the suspensions.

The stampede occurred outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium as large crowds gathered to celebrate RCB’s maiden IPL title win. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) had sent an intimation letter to the police, but the CAT’s ruling implies that no formal permission for a massive public gathering was secured by RCB before their social media announcements.

This ruling by the CAT places significant blame on RCB for initiating the event without proper clearances, while largely absolving the police of the immediate responsibility for the stampede, given the short notice they received. The matter remains under ongoing investigation, and a criminal case has also been registered against relevant parties.

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