Karnataka HC Seeks Full Report on Bengaluru Stampede by June 10
The Karnataka High Court has directed the state government to submit a comprehensive report by June 10 on the deadly stampede that occurred during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) victory celebration outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The incident, which took place earlier this week, resulted in the deaths of 11 people and left 56 others injured, raising serious questions about crowd control and administrative negligence.
The directive was issued during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) that highlighted lapses in planning and safety protocols during the event. The court emphasized the need for clarity and accountability from the authorities and laid out nine specific areas requiring detailed responses.
Among the key questions raised by the bench were: Who authorised the event? When and how was the decision to organise the celebration made? The court asked for official documentation and clarification on whether proper permissions were obtained and which authority granted them.
The High Court also sought information about traffic regulation and crowd control measures, observing that the event appeared to lack basic safety protocols. “Were adequate arrangements in place to manage the large turnout?” the court asked, expressing concern over the failure to anticipate the size and scale of the crowd.
The bench further demanded details about the emergency response during the incident. This includes the availability of medical teams, the setup of first-aid stations, and how quickly the injured were transported to nearby hospitals. The court also asked for data on how long it took to provide medical attention and whether any fatalities could have been prevented with a faster response.
Another crucial point raised was whether a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for large public gatherings was in place, especially for events expected to attract more than 50,000 people. The court stressed the importance of such SOPs in preventing tragedies of this scale.
In response, the Karnataka government informed the court that the investigation has been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). A Special Investigation Team (SIT) will be formed under the CID’s supervision to probe the incident thoroughly and ensure accountability.
The High Court has asked the government to submit its detailed report on all nine points by the next hearing, scheduled for Tuesday, June 10.
The case has sparked widespread debate on the responsibilities of public officials and event organisers in ensuring public safety at large gatherings, especially in densely populated urban areas like Bengaluru.
