Bengaluru Stampede: FIR Filed Against RCB And Event Management Company Over 'Culpable Homicide'

Amid the ongoing row over the stampede at Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy stadium that killed 11 people on June 4, a first information report (FIR) has been filed against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in connection with the incident. Lakhs of fans gathered at the stadium with a capacity of 35,000 people to celebrate the Indian Premier League (IPL) victory of RCB for the first time.

As per media reports, besides RCB, the event-managing company DNA Entertainment Private Limited and the administrative committee of the Karnataka State Cricket Association are also named in the FIR filed by the Cubbon Park police.

According to the police, the case was registered at Cubbon Park police station under sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 115 (Voluntarily causing hurt), 118 (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by using dangerous weapons or means), 190 (liability of members of an unlawful assembly for offences committed in pursuit of a common object), 132 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging their duty), 125(12) (acts endangering life or personal safety of others), 142 (unlawful assembly) and 121 (abetment of an offence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

The dead reportedly include three teenagers, the youngest of whom was 13. All victims were under the age of 40. 33 people were injured as well.

Commenting on the incident, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said that the venue could not handle the size of the crowd, adding that the stadium's capacity was 35,000 but 2 to 3 lakh people had turned up for the celebrations.

Taking suo motu cognisance of the incident, the Karnataka High Court held an urgent hearing on Thursday. After reviewing the reports, the High Court adjourned the hearing to next week. However, the HC expressed concern over the lack of crowd control despite the prior deployment of over 1,000 police personnel.

In view of the tragic incident, the Karnataka government will also formulate a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the mega events, meetings and celebrations aimed at preventing any untoward incidents.

The state government has also announced ex gratia of 10 lakh rupees for the families of those who lost their lives in the tragedy.

Issuing an official statement, RCB expressed profound grief and pledged immediate financial assistance to the families of the deceased.

"The unfortunate incident in Bengaluru yesterday has caused a lot of anguish and pain to the RCB family. As a mark of respect and a gesture of solidarity, RCB has announced a financial support of INR 10 lakh to each of the eleven families of the deceased. In addition, a fund called RCB Cares is also being created to support fans injured in this tragic incident," the statement read.