Indian police have detained four individuals, including a senior executive of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), following a devastating stampede that left 11 dead and scores injured during celebrations for the team’s historic Indian Premier League (IPL) victory.
The tragedy unfolded on Wednesday when hundreds of thousands of fans flooded the streets of Bengaluru to welcome cricket star Virat Kohli and his team after their maiden IPL title win over the Punjab Kings. The chaos erupted near M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, where players were parading the trophy, turning celebration into catastrophe.
Among the detained is Nikhil Sosale, a senior official at RCB, along with three representatives of DNA, the event management company involved. All four were brought before a judge on Friday and placed in 14-day judicial custody, according to NDTV.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who goes by a single name, directed police to take immediate action against officials from RCB, DNA, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association. He also announced the suspension of several senior police officers, including the city’s police commissioner, citing gross negligence.
“The officers appear to be irresponsible and negligent, and it has been decided to suspend them,” Siddaramaiah said, adding that a First Information Report (FIR) had been registered, marking the beginning of a formal police investigation. Local media reported that those detained may face charges including culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
The victims, aged between 14 and 29, were part of an enormous crowd, estimated between 200,000 and 300,000 people, far exceeding the stadium’s 35,000-person capacity. Most deaths occurred due to asphyxiation and injuries in the dense throng.
RCB has expressed condolences and announced financial aid of $11,655 for each bereaved family, calling the incident “unfortunate.” The team earned $2.3 million in prize money for their title win. Kohli, who led the team with a match-winning performance in the final, said he was “at a loss for words” over the tragedy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the stampede “absolutely heartrending,” joining a chorus of national mourning and outrage. Editorials in leading newspapers have sharply criticized the lack of safety measures at the event, calling for accountability at all levels.
“The world’s richest cricket tournament can’t cut corners when it comes to fans’ safety,” wrote the Indian Express, while The Hindu lamented that “the fan, who drives the commerce of every sport, is the last priority for administrators.”
As investigations continue, the spotlight remains firmly on event organizers, police, and cricket authorities, with growing public demand for justice and reform in how mass gatherings are managed in India.
Written By Rodney Mbua
