RCB Created ‘Nuisance’, Cops Not Gods Or Magicians: Tribunal On Bengaluru Stampede

The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has made sharp observations on the deadly stampede in Bengaluru last month, stating that Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) appears to be “prima facie responsible” for the tragic incident that claimed 11 lives. The tribunal noted that the IPL franchise created a “nuisance” by announcing its victory parade without prior permission, leaving the police with no time to make adequate arrangements.

Defending the city police, the tribunal remarked, “Police personnel are also human beings. They are neither ‘God’ (Bhagwan) nor Magician and also not having the magic powers like ‘Alladdin ka Chirag’.”

The strong remarks came while the CAT was hearing a petition filed by a senior Bengaluru police officer who had challenged his suspension in the aftermath of the June 4 stampede. The tribunal ultimately quashed the suspension order.

The tragedy unfolded after RCB, following their maiden IPL victory, posted about a victory parade on social media. The last-minute announcement led to a massive, unmanageable crowd of an estimated three to five lakh people gathering near the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

“Therefore, prima facie it appears that the RCB is responsible for the gathering… The RCB did not take the appropriate permission or consent from the Police. Suddenly, they posted on social media platforms and as a result of aforesaid information the public were gathered,” the tribunal’s order stated.

The CAT was critical of the impossible situation the police were put in. “Suddenly, the RCB created the aforesaid type of nuisance without any prior permission. It cannot be expected from the Police that within a short time of about 12 hours the police will make all arrangements,” it observed.

The tribunal also pointed out that the police force was already stretched thin on the day of the incident, managing crowds that had gathered overnight and also providing security for a separate state government function at the Vidhana Soudha. It concluded that to control such a massive gathering, the police required sufficient time and prior intimation, which was not provided by the IPL franchise.