RCB Victory turns tragic: Bengaluru Top Cops suspended after Chinnaswamy Stampede kills 11

Bengaluru: What was meant to be a historic celebration for Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) maiden IPL title turned into a heartbreaking tragedy, as a stampede outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday claimed 11 lives and injured 47 others. The chaos erupted during a felicitation event organized by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) in collaboration with DNA Entertainment, drawing tens of thousands of fans beyond capacity. Following a high-level Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday announced the suspension of the Bengaluru Police Commissioner and several senior officials, citing gross negligence in crowd control and security arrangements.

The suspended officers include the additional commissioner of police in charge of the stadium, the ACP, Central division DCP, the Cubbon Park SHO, and other local officials. In a stern response, the CM has directed the DGP and IGP to arrest representatives of RCB, KSCA, and DNA Entertainment for their role in the lapses. “This was an unprecedented incident in which 11 lives were lost. We are providing free treatment to the injured,” Siddaramaiah stated. To ensure accountability, the case will now be handled by the Crime Investigation Department (CID), and a judicial commission led by retired High Court judge John Michael D’Cunha will oversee the probe.