Karnataka government's status report on the Chinnaswamy stadium stampede in Bengaluru that tragically killed 11 people blames Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), DNA Networks Private Ltd, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). The report states that they unilaterally organised an unsanctioned victory parade for RCB without police permission or submitting essential crowd management details to the authorities.
PTI has cited government sources as saying that the report has been submitted to the Karnataka High Court. As per the report, at about 6.30pm, just hours before the Indian Premier League 2025 final between RCB and Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Ahmedabad, the KSCA on behalf of DNA Networks Pvt Ltd submitted an intimation letter to the Cubbon Park police station.
"Should RCB emerge victorious in the tournament, the management of RCB/DNA Entertainment Networks Private Limited intends to plan potential victory parades around the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, culminating in victory celebrations at the stadium. This was in the nature of an intimation, not a requisition for permission as required under the law," the report is said to have stated.
But the police reportedly refused permission due to the lack of vital information, including estimated crowd size, event logistics and crowd control measures. The proposal was also made on short notice, which precluded due processing.
Despite this, RCB unilaterally proceeded on June 4, announcing a public 'Victory Parade' from Vidhana Soudha to Chinnaswamy Stadium via social media posts starting at 7.01 am. A final post at 3.14 pm announced that the parade would begin at 5.00pm and would be followed by stadium celebrations.
This post was the first to mention that free passes were available online, but it came after big crowds had already started gathering. The posts gained widespread attention, with the first four updates racking up viewership figures of 16 lakh, 4.26 lakh, 7.6 lakh and 17 lakh respectively.
Bengaluru Metro ridership too spiked on June 4, witnessing 9.66 lakh commuters compared to a daily average of six lakh.
"Therefore, including those who travelled on foot, used public transport, and private means on June 4, the estimated gathering would be well beyond three lakh individuals," the statement added.
The report highlighted that the organisers never formally sought police permission in the prescribed format as mandated by the Licensing and Controlling of Assemblies and Processions (Bangalore City) Order, 2009. PTI further reported that the government statement added that merely submitting an intimation does not amount to seeking permission, particularly for events involving large public gatherings in central Bengaluru.
Authorities said that the crucial details like the number of participants, assembly point, timing, names and contact details of responsible organisers, and plans for traffic and crowd control, were entirely missing.
This lack of information prevented police from assessing the event's scale or planning adequate safety measures.
There also was no signage or loudspeakers for public instructions, no trained staff for crowd management at entry gates and within seating areas, and no prior request for loudspeaker use or police bandobast, as per the report. Additionally, the organisers failed to pay for police deployment, as mandated by the government order dated May 22, 2019, the report said.
Despite the absence of coordination or approvals, the Bengaluru City Police implemented multiple measures to manage the situation on the ground, as per the report. A meeting was convened at 10 am on June 4 at the office of the Joint Commissioner of Police, where traffic and law enforcement planning was finalised.
In all, 654 traffic personnel were deployed, including 4 DCPs, 6 ACPs, 23 PIs, 57 PSIs, 104 ASIs, and 462 constables. The route taken by the RCB franchise, from HAL to Taj West End, Vidhana Soudha, and finally Chinnaswamy Stadium, was regulated to minimise disruption.
Further, the status report mentions that a traffic advisory and map were released through press, social media and FM radio, advising the public to avoid central areas and use Metro or other public transport due to limited parking. Nine diversion points were created and 125 barricades installed with an additional 11 barricading zones added as a precaution. Local schools were requested to close by noon.
Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation deployed its Sarathi teams, and the E-Path app was activated for ambulance management. A dedicated control room monitored traffic movements throughout the event, the report further stated.
Eight major sectors were identified where police personnel were stationed to regulate and manage the public. The report concluded that RCB, DNA Networks, and KSCA ignored standard procedures and safety measures, leading to violations and potential public safety risks.
Their failure to obtain permission and coordinate with authorities ahead of time left the city administration "with no option" but to respond reactively to an event that had already gained momentum through social media mobilisation.
"Recognising the need for accountability within the law enforcement hierarchy, the government took action against police officials on June 5, 2025.
A government order suspended five police officers, including three IPS officers of significant rank: the Commissioner of Police, the Inspector General and Additional Commissioner of Police, and the Deputy Commissioner of Police, alongside the Assistant Commissioner of Police for Cubbon Park and the Police Inspector of Cubbon Park," the report added.
(With PTI inputs)
