Judicial panel holds RCB, KSCA, event management firm and city police responsible for stadium stampede

The Justice Michael Cunha-led judicial inquiry report submitted to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday reportedly indicts Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise, event management company DNA Entertainment Pvt Ltd, Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and several city police officials for the stampede at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in which 11 persons died on June 4. The report also has several recommendations to prevent a repeat of such tragedies.

Sources said that apart from the five police officials, including former City Police Commissioner B. Dayananda and Additional Commissioner Vikash Kumar Vikash, who were suspended by the State government, the report holds more police officials culpable, by name.

This assumes significance as the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), while setting aside the suspension order of Mr. Vikash, who had challenged it, said the suspension was without valid grounds and said prima facie RCB was to be blamed for the stampede, and said police did not have enough time to prepare. This order, seen as a setback for the State government, has been challenged by the State in the High Court of Karnataka. 

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, speaking to mediapersons after accepting the report from Justice Cunha, said that the report was in two volumes. “I am yet to read the findings and recommendations of the judicial inquiry commission. The report will be tabled in the next Cabinet meeting scheduled for July 17, where it will be discussed threadbare, and the Cabinet will decide on the next course of action,” he said. 

Following the stampede Mr. Siddaramaiah had announced the judicial commission led by Justice Michael Cunha on June 6, as well as the suspension of police officials. The Commission was given a month’s time to submit its report. The State government had also ordered a magisterial inquiry led by Bengaluru (Urban) district Deputy Commissioner G. Jagadeesha, who is yet to submit his report to the State government. He had been given 15 days time, which was extended later.