RCB, BCCI invited fans without nod: Karnataka govt tells High Court

The Karnataka government on Wednesday held the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) squarely responsible for the deadly stampede outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium that claimed 11 lives, stating before the High Court that the organisers "invited the whole world" via social media without obtaining official permission.

During a hearing on petitions challenging the arrest of four individuals — including RCB marketing head Nikhil Sosale — Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty, appearing for the state, said the franchise had submitted only a "representation" on June 3, just an hour before a match, stating they shall conduct a victory parade. “This was not a permission request — it was merely an intimation,” Shetty told the bench.

He pointed out that despite not receiving formal approval, RCB and BCCI went ahead with widespread social media promotions late at night on June 3 and into the early hours of June 4, calling on fans to join the celebration.“They simply said all fans are welcome to cheer. It was as if they invited the whole world,” Shetty stated.

According to the government, this reckless promotion led to an unmanageable crowd of 3.5 to 4 lakh people gathering at the venue, which has a seating capacity of only 33,000. The absence of clear communication on entry protocols further aggravated the situation, culminating in a stampede that caused multiple fatalities and injuries.

Shetty also clarified that no communication came directly from RCB or BCCI regarding event organisation; the only correspondence was from the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). Yet, the cricket franchise proceeded as if the event had official sanction.The government’s counsel further alleged that RCB attempted to present the parade as a government-supported function, while it was, in reality, entirely private. “They have approached this court with unclean hands and attempted to mislead it,” Shetty added.

A key document submitted to the court revealed that under an agreement between RCB and BCCI, full responsibility for ticketing, security, and gate management rested solely with the franchise and the cricket board. Earlier suggestions that the event was co-managed by event firm DNA Entertainment Networks Pvt Ltd and KSCA were retracted in court.

In response to the tragedy, the state has handed over the investigation to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Several police officers were suspended, and a new police commissioner has since been appointed. Shetty noted that the timing of the CID takeover was immaterial, as the High Court was notified in due course.The court is now reviewing documents related to the administrative changes, as well as the legal responsibility of the organisers in light of the disaster. (UNI)<>