Remains littered the spot where 11 people died in a tragic stampede, as thousands of fans had thronged to enter M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru to take part in the celebrations of RCB's win in the Indian Premier League.
Credit: DH Photo
Bengaluru: Heads continued to roll in the aftermath of the Chinnaswamy stadium stampede that claimed 11 lives as two senior office-bearers of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) tendered their resignations citing 'moral responsibility'.
Secretary A Shankar and Treasurer E S Jairam sent in their resignations on Friday evening and they were accepted on Saturday in an emergency managing committee meeting convened by KSCA president, Raghuram Bhat.
"This is to inform that due to the unforeseen and unfortunate events that have unfolded in the last two days, and though our role was very limited, but owing moral responsibility, we wish to state that last night we have tendered our resignation to our respective posts as the Secretary and Treasurer of the Karnataka State Cricket Association," said the duo in a joint statement.
Bhat told the media that he had called for an emergency managing committee meeting because of the resignations. "I had to place the resignation letter in front of the committee to accept it, and the committee has praised their work, whatever they have done for the two and a half years," Bhat said.
Asked about the tragic stampede, Bhat said since the matter is under investigation and he can't talk much.
"I don't want to talk anything on the particular subject (as the case in court), it is a very delicate issue and we have been instructed to not talk. When the appropriate time comes, I will give a detailed press release," Bhat said.
Rumours have been swirling that many peeved members have asked for a complete dissolution of the current managing committee, whose term comes to end on September 30. Bhat rubbished the rumours.
"No, nothing of the sort at the moment, it is all fine. The main agenda of today's meeting was to take a decision on the resignations. The game has to continue and that is the reason the emergency meeting was held," he said.
Asked what the further course of action from the KSCA will be, Bhat said that they have informed the state government that they will fully cooperate with the investigation.
"We have already told the government, the honourable high court that we are there to help the investigation. We will never shy away and we are ready to co-operate with the investigation going on," he said.
With the same committee set to continue, an interim secretary and treasurer is expected to be announced in the coming days. Sources told DH that MS Vinay and KV Manjunath Raju have emerged as the leading candidates to take charge as the acting secretary and treasurer, respectively.
Elections to the KSCA are due to be held in October or November once the current managing committee demits office on September 30.