Photo Credit: Deccan Herald
In what was supposed to be a night of celebration for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans, tragedy struck outside Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, 2025. A massive stampede during RCB’s IPL victory parade led to the death of at least 11 people and injured over 50 others, prompting a swift and high-profile crackdown by police and state authorities.
RCB’s First IPL Win Ends in Chaos
As fans gathered to celebrate RCB’s maiden IPL title, the crowd swelled far beyond anticipated numbers. While the team celebrated inside, thousands outside struggled to gain entry, leading to a tragic stampede triggered by overcrowding and poor crowd management.
Estimates suggest more than 1.5 lakh people showed up, with many unable to enter due to unverified passes and blocked gates. Chaos ensued, and in the absence of timely crowd control measures, the joyous atmosphere turned deadly.
Top RCB, Event Firm Officials in Police Custody
Bengaluru police have arrested Nikhil Sosale, RCB’s Head of Marketing and a close aide of Virat Kohli, along with Sunil Mathew and Kiran Kumar from DNA Entertainment Networks, the event management firm behind the show. The arrests follow an FIR filed under various sections of IPC for negligence and culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Police Commissioner Suspended, More Action Likely
Taking serious note of the lapses, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah suspended the Bengaluru Police Commissioner and directed arrests of all those responsible for the safety failures. An internal inquiry has been launched into why crowd estimates were ignored and why no contingency plans were in place.
Similar Tragedies Point to Repeated Oversight
The Bengaluru stampede echoes other recent incidents. In December 2024, a stampede at Hyderabad’s Sandhya Theatre during the premiere of Pushpa 2 resulted in one death and multiple injuries. Despite such precedents, little seems to have changed in how large public events are managed in India.
Public Outrage and Demand for Accountability
On social media, the mood shifted quickly from celebration to condemnation. Hashtags like #RCBStampede and #EventNegligence trended nationally, with users demanding justice for the victims and accountability from IPL teams and organisers alike.
Lessons for the Future
The tragedy has ignited calls for stricter event regulations, crowd control norms, and mandatory safety audits for any large-scale public celebration. Sports franchises, celebrities, and governments are being urged to prioritize safety over spectacle.
