Chinnaswamy stampede | Karnataka HC issues notice to state govt, directs it to file status report by June 10

The court took suo motu cognisance to 'examine whether the incident could have been prevented' and what remedies can be taken for the future events. It asked the state to submit a detailed status report by June 10.

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has registered a suo motu petition on the Bengaluru stampede, titled as ‘Stampede on 04.06.2025’, and asked the state government as to who took the decision to hold the victory celebration and in what manner. A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice V Kameshwar Rao and Justice C M Joshi has directed the state government to file a status report reflecting nine issues/points regarding Wednesday's stampede at M Chinnaswamy Stadium that left 11 people dead and 56 injured.

“The Court taking note of the incident is taking suo motu cognisance to examine whether the incident could have been prevented and what remedies can be taken for the future events,” the court said listing out points to be answered by the state government by June 10.

The status report has to reflect on; “When and who has taken the decision to hold the victory celebration and in what manner? What steps were taken to regulate the traffic? What steps were taken to regulate the public/crowd? What medical and other facilities were arranged at the venue? Any assessment was made in advance on the number of people, who may be present at the time of celebrations? Whether persons injured were given immediate medical attention by the medical experts at the venue? If not, why? How much time was taken to take the injured to the hospitals? Whether any SOP has been formulated to manage a crowd of 50,000 and above in any sport event and celebrations of this nature? Any permission was sought to organize the event?”

Earlier, Advocate General (AG) Shashikiran Shetty , appearing for the state government, submitted a sketch of the M Chinnaswamy stadium to the court and said that the stampede broke out at multiple entry gates of the cricket stadium. He said that there are 21 gates at the stadium and of the 11 deaths, four occurred at Gate 7, two at Gate 6, one death at Gate 1 and four at Gates 17-21. The AG said that over 2.5 lakh people congregated near the stadium, despite its limited seating capacity of 34,600, resulting in the stampede. He also said that there were some people already seated inside the stadium while most of the fans were waiting outside the gates.

“A magisterial inquiry, under the Bengaluru Urban deputy commissioner, has also been ordered, and the report is expected within 15 days. The inquiry will look into the stampede and the cause of deaths, including lapses that have occurred, if any, to hold the said persons responsible, according to the memo,” the AG told the court, adding that the state government is treating the issue with utmost seriousness and considering issuing fresh Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to better regulate public gatherings, meetings and celebrations of any kind.

Insofar as the preparedness, the AG said that the Bengaluru police had deployed 1,318 personnel, including senior officers and constables, as well as 13 KSRP platoons of 25 personnel each, to maintain the law and order during the event. In addition, three fire tenders, two ambulances, two District–Special Weapons and Tactics Teams (D-SWATs), one water tanker, one command and control vehicle and four KSRP vehicles were also deployed.

Meanwhile, the advocates representing certain impleading applicants and also petitioners who have filed separate PIL made their submissions. One of the advocates said that the state government is required to file four clarifications as to who has taken the decision to felicitate the RCB players whether the state or KSCA? What is the obligation of the state government to felicitate who had not played for the state or the country, why they conducted the program at two places, one in front of the Vidhana Soudha and the other at the stadium and what safety measures were taken by the government to control the public at the stadium?