Chinnaswamy stampede | FIR against RCB and KSCA among others

Besides the RCB — listed as accused number 1 — the FIR names DNA Entertainment Private Limited as accused 2, and KSCA administrative committee as accused 3.

Bengaluru: IPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are among three named in the FIR by Bengaluru police over the death of 11 people from a stampede at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday.

The FIR alleged that the programme was held forcibly without permission and approval from the police. The Karnataka government has transferred the case to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and said that a special investigation team (SIT) will probe.

Besides the RCB, listed as accused number 1, the FIR named DNA Entertainment Private Limited as accused 2, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) administrative committee as accused 3.

The FIR registered on June 5 is based on a complaint from the local police authority — the Cubbon Park police inspector, Girish A K.

Before the FIR, the Cubbon Park police had registered 11 Unnatural Death Reports (UDRs)

It has invoked five sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS): 105 (punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 115 (voluntarily causing hurt), 118 (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 190 (unlawful assembly), 132 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and 125 (act endangering life or personal safety of others).

According to the FIR, on June 3, at 6 pm, Shubendu Ghosh, CEO, KSCA, wrote to Inspector Girish seeking proper security arrangements to celebrate at the stadium on June 4.

However, the inspector, as per the FIR, informed Ghosh that if RCB won, the fans would celebrate till the wee hours, and this would require ample security, and hence they needed time to make the necessary arrangements.

Girish alleged that despite this, RCB, DNA and KSCA together pressurised them for the function to he held on June 4. As per the FIR, since the morning of June 4, without permission, it was announced on the social media handles of RCB that there would be celebrations and victory parades, asking people to gather.

“Knowing that this would lead to a large crowd, I informed my higher officers of the need to make proper arrangements for safety purposes,” Girish alleged.

At 9 am on June 4, a meeting was held, a plan was prepared, and after approval from the Bengaluru police commissioner, it was communicated to the different police stations, the FIR noted. The arrangements were also made for the public felicitation at the Vidhana Soudha. Additional staff, including the reserve force, were also brought in.

Girish further alleged that despite the stadium only having a capacity of 30,000-35,000, all three named in the FIR had failed to ensure the entry inside was safe.

The inspector also claimed that the stampede that killed 11 and injured 64 was due to RCB, DNA and KSCA going ahead with the celebration without permission and not making proper arrangements for the fans to enter the stadium.

He also alleged that RCB's posting on social media about the programme and claiming that free passes would be provided at the stadium led to the large crowd gathering.