NEW DELHI: The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) on Tuesday observed that, prima facie, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) appeared to be responsible for the stampede that took place in Bengaluru on June 4. The tribunal observed that the police cannot be expected to make all necessary arrangements within just 12 hours, noting that they do not possess "magical powers like Aladdin's lamp."
The tribunal criticised the IPL franchise for announcing their victory celebrations without police clearance, triggering a crowd surge that killed 11 people and injured dozens more outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
"Prima facie it appears that the RCB (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) is responsible for the gathering of about three to five lakh people. The RCB did not take the appropriate permission or consent from the Police. Suddenly, they posted on social media platforms and as a result of aforesaid information the public were gathered. Because of shortage of time on 04.06.2026, the Police was unable to do the appropriate arrangements. Sufficient time was not given to the Police," the tribunal observed, as quoted by news agency ANI.
"Because of shortage of time on 04.06.2026, the Police was unable to do the appropriate arrangements. Sufficient time was not given to the Police. Suddenly, the RCB created the aforesaid type of nuisance without any prior permission," it said.
“Police personnel are also human beings. They are neither "God" (Bhagwan) nor Magician and also not having the magic powers like "Alladdin ka Chirag" which was able to fulfil any wish only by rubbing a finger," it further added.
The CAT also set aside the Karnataka government's suspension of senior IPS officer Vikash Kumar Vikash. Vikash had challenged the June 5 order, which also named then Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda and DCP Shekar H Tekkannavar.
The Bengaluru bench delivered its verdict on Tuesday. Chief minister Siddaramaiah responded, saying that the government has the option to appeal the CAT ruling.
The suspension of Vikash and other senior officers by the Karnataka government came under intense scrutiny after reports suggested that RCB and event organisers bypassed standard protocols. The government had claimed that while RCB CEO had sent an intimation to the Police Commissioner on June 3, no formal approval was granted.
Karnataka govt issues SOP for crowd management
The Karnataka government has also issued new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for managing crowds at events and mass gatherings. According to the SOPs released by the Office of the Director General and Inspector General of Police, “Police responses must prioritise life safety, protection of rights, prevention of property damage, and de-escalation of potential conflicts.”
The guidelines recognise that “modern gatherings are often spontaneous and influenced by social media, necessitating adaptive strategies.” They stress the importance of “early planning, coordination with stakeholders, and minimal use of force” as essential principles for effective crowd management.
The SOPs cover all types of public events, from festivals and rallies to sports celebrations, providing a strategic framework to ensure public safety while maintaining law and order. Pre-event preparation includes “conducting behavioural and spatial analysis” to identify risks and bottlenecks, along with rigorous venue safety audits. Notably, venues that fail to meet safety standards, including capacity limits and evacuation plans, “must not be approved for high-footfall events.”
In wake of the Bengaluru stampede , a criminal case was registered against RCB officials, the KSCA, and DNA Entertainment. Several event organisers were arrested but later granted interim bail.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka high court continues to hear a suo motu case into the tragedy. The court is also examining compensation pledges made to victims’ families, with the next hearing scheduled for July 1.
The tribunal criticised the IPL franchise for announcing their victory celebrations without police clearance, triggering a crowd surge that killed 11 people and injured dozens more outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
"Prima facie it appears that the RCB (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) is responsible for the gathering of about three to five lakh people. The RCB did not take the appropriate permission or consent from the Police. Suddenly, they posted on social media platforms and as a result of aforesaid information the public were gathered. Because of shortage of time on 04.06.2026, the Police was unable to do the appropriate arrangements. Sufficient time was not given to the Police," the tribunal observed, as quoted by news agency ANI.
"Because of shortage of time on 04.06.2026, the Police was unable to do the appropriate arrangements. Sufficient time was not given to the Police. Suddenly, the RCB created the aforesaid type of nuisance without any prior permission," it said.
“Police personnel are also human beings. They are neither "God" (Bhagwan) nor Magician and also not having the magic powers like "Alladdin ka Chirag" which was able to fulfil any wish only by rubbing a finger," it further added.
The CAT also set aside the Karnataka government's suspension of senior IPS officer Vikash Kumar Vikash. Vikash had challenged the June 5 order, which also named then Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda and DCP Shekar H Tekkannavar.
The Bengaluru bench delivered its verdict on Tuesday. Chief minister Siddaramaiah responded, saying that the government has the option to appeal the CAT ruling.
The suspension of Vikash and other senior officers by the Karnataka government came under intense scrutiny after reports suggested that RCB and event organisers bypassed standard protocols. The government had claimed that while RCB CEO had sent an intimation to the Police Commissioner on June 3, no formal approval was granted.
Karnataka govt issues SOP for crowd management
The Karnataka government has also issued new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for managing crowds at events and mass gatherings. According to the SOPs released by the Office of the Director General and Inspector General of Police, “Police responses must prioritise life safety, protection of rights, prevention of property damage, and de-escalation of potential conflicts.”
The guidelines recognise that “modern gatherings are often spontaneous and influenced by social media, necessitating adaptive strategies.” They stress the importance of “early planning, coordination with stakeholders, and minimal use of force” as essential principles for effective crowd management.
The SOPs cover all types of public events, from festivals and rallies to sports celebrations, providing a strategic framework to ensure public safety while maintaining law and order. Pre-event preparation includes “conducting behavioural and spatial analysis” to identify risks and bottlenecks, along with rigorous venue safety audits. Notably, venues that fail to meet safety standards, including capacity limits and evacuation plans, “must not be approved for high-footfall events.”
Karnataka government releases SOPs for crowd control events and mass gatherings.
— ANI (@ANI) July 1, 2025
The SoPs mention that Police responses must prioritise life safety, protection of rights, prevention of property damage, and de-escalation of potential conflicts. Modern gatherings are often… pic.twitter.com/huDIRBent7
In wake of the Bengaluru stampede , a criminal case was registered against RCB officials, the KSCA, and DNA Entertainment. Several event organisers were arrested but later granted interim bail.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka high court continues to hear a suo motu case into the tragedy. The court is also examining compensation pledges made to victims’ families, with the next hearing scheduled for July 1.
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