Justice John Michael Cunha Appointed to Probe Bengaluru Chinnaswamy Stadium Stampede That Killed 11

The Karnataka government has appointed retired Karnataka High Court Justice John Michael Cunha to lead a one-member commission investigating the tragic stampede near Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, 2025. The deadly incident claimed 11 lives and injured 56 others.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the decision following the State cabinet meeting on Thursday, emphasizing the need for a thorough and independent inquiry into the crowd management failure during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) IPL victory celebrations.

About Justice John Michael Cunha

Justice John Michael Cunha, an alumnus of SDM Law College, began his legal career in 1985. He later practiced at the Karnataka High Court in Bengaluru. Cunha was elevated to the Bench in 2002, serving in various district courts, including Bellary, Dharwad, Hubli, and Bangalore.

He rose to national prominence in 2014 as the special judge who convicted former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in the high-profile disproportionate assets case. Cunha was appointed an additional judge of the Karnataka High Court in November 2016 and became a permanent judge in November 2018 before retiring in 2021.

Details of the Chinnaswamy Stadium Stampede

The stampede occurred during a massive public gathering to welcome the RCB cricket team following their historic first Indian Premier League (IPL) title win in 18 years. The celebrations were scheduled at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, where thousands of fans had gathered to greet their champions.

Initial plans required an entry fee to access the stadium. However, late in the day, reports emerged that free entry would be allowed. This sudden announcement triggered a surge of people at the stadium gates, overwhelming the crowd control measures and resulting in the tragic stampede.

Legal Actions and Court Proceedings

In response to the tragedy, the Karnataka High Court took suo motu cognizance of the incident. The court has sought a status report from the State government and scheduled the next hearing for June 10, 2025.

The commission led by Justice Cunha is expected to examine the circumstances leading to the stampede, including crowd management protocols, security arrangements, and responsibilities of event organizers.