RCB Marketing Head Arrested in Bengaluru Stampede Case That Killed 11
Bengaluru Police on Friday arrested Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) marketing head Nikhil Sosale in connection with the deadly stampede at M Chinnaswamy Stadium that claimed 11 lives and injured over 60 during the team’s IPL 2025 victory celebrations on Wednesday.
Sosale was apprehended at Bengaluru Airport while attempting to board a flight to Mumbai, marking the first major arrest in the case that has sparked widespread outrage over alleged negligence and mismanagement.
Three officials from DNA Entertainment Networks Pvt. Ltd., the event management company that organised the victory celebrations, were also detained for questioning. The arrested personnel have been identified as Kiran, Sumanth, and Sunil Mathew.
The arrests come as two Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) officials remain absconding. Police sources confirmed that officers raided the residences of the KSCA secretary and treasurer but found them absent from their homes.
An FIR has been filed against RCB, the event organisers, and KSCA following the tragic incident that occurred when tens of thousands of cricket fans gathered outside the stadium to celebrate RCB’s maiden IPL victory.
The interrogation of the detained officials is being conducted at Cubbon Park Police Station, where the initial complaint was registered.
Investigation reveals that the Karnataka government had earlier cancelled the victory parade from Vidhana Soudha to Chinnaswamy Cricket Stadium, citing security reasons. However, RCB management proceeded with social media announcements about the celebration without proper police consultation.
Sources indicate that RCB’s victory parade announcement on social media went viral with over a million views, leading to massive crowds converging at the stadium despite the lack of adequate security arrangements.
Police had been managing celebrating crowds since Tuesday night, but the situation spiralled out of control when thousands of fans rushed towards the stadium gates simultaneously.
The tragedy has triggered a major political crisis in Karnataka. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah addressed the incident at a press conference, while the opposition BJP has demanded the resignation of both the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.
Reports suggest that Shivakumar was present inside the stadium taking photographs with the winning team even after being informed about the ongoing stampede outside, raising questions about the government’s response priorities.
The Karnataka government has suspended senior police officers, including Bengaluru City Commissioner B Dayananda, for lapses in crowd management that contributed to the deadly incident.
RCB has announced financial support of Rs 10 lakh to each of the 11 families who lost their loved ones in the stampede. The franchise has also launched a fund called ‘RCB Cares’ to provide ongoing support to affected families.
The Karnataka government has announced Rs 10 lakh compensation for the families of the deceased and medical support for the injured.
