Karnataka LoP Ashoka seeks NHRC probe into Bengaluru stampede

Bengaluru: Leader of the Opposition in Legislative Assembly R Ashoka on Thursday appealed to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to take up suo motu cognisance of the recent stampede near the M Chinnaswamy Stadium and to initiate an independent and comprehensive investigation into the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved in organising the event.

In a formal petition submitted on June 11, Ashoka urged the Commission to go beyond the ongoing state-level inquiry and thoroughly examine the lapses committed by government officials, private organisers, and associated agencies.

Highlighting that the tragedy was not a mere accident but a consequence of systemic failure, he urged the NHRC to hold those responsible accountable. “The victims were ordinary citizens who had come to celebrate a moment of pride and unity. Their rights were disregarded due to negligence and poor planning. This tragedy must serve as a wake-up call,” the petition stated.

The tragic incident of stampede, which occurred during the IPL victory celebrations of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on June 4, resulted in the death of 11 individuals and left at least 75 others injured.

According to Ashoka, the event was marred by gross mismanagement, including overcrowding, insufficient police deployment, lack of emergency medical facilities, and a breakdown in communication with the public.

Proposing the creation of a comprehensive framework that includes safety protocols, real-time coordination among authorities, and emergency preparedness mechanisms to ensure such tragedies are never repeated, he appealed to the NHRC to issue strict guidelines for crowd control and public safety during large-scale events.

In his petition, Ashoka accused the state government and the organisers—including the RCB management, the event management firm DNA, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA)—of misleading the public with announcements of free passes, which led to a surge far beyond the venue’s capacity of 35,000. He contended that such confusing message resulted in

chaos.