Chinnaswamy Stampede: Karnataka HC Grants Interim Relief To KSCA Officials In FIR Case

Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) President Raghuram Bhat, along with several other office bearers, has approached the Karnataka High Court seeking the quashing of the FIR filed against them in connection with the recent stampede at Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium. The stampede, which occurred during the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) team's IPL victory celebrations on Wednesday evening, left 11 people dead and 56 injured.

Following the incident, the Karnataka police registered an FIR on Thursday against RCB, event management firm DNA Entertainment Private Limited, and the KSCA. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had also directed the Director General of Police (DGP) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to arrest representatives from RCB, DNA Entertainment, and KSCA, stating that there was apparent irresponsibility and carelessness on their part.

As per police sources, four officials from RCB and DNA Entertainment were taken into custody on Friday.

In response, the KSCA Managing Committee filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court, naming President Raghuram Bhat, Secretary A Shankar, and Treasurer E S Jairam as petitioners. The case was listed for hearing before Justice S R Krishna Kumar at 2:30 PM on Friday.

During the hearing, the Karnataka High Court granted interim protection from arrest to the KSCA management. The court also issued a notice to the state government and police, seeking their response to the plea for quashing the FIR.

The FIR, registered by Cubbon Park police, cites multiple provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 105, 115(2), 118(1), 118(2), 3(5), 190, 132, and 125(a)(b).

In their petition, the KSCA contends that as the governing body for cricket in Karnataka, affiliated with the BCCI, its role in the IPL event was minimal. According to the plea, responsibilities such as ticketing, gate control, and execution of the event fell under the purview of the RCB franchise and its service provider, M/s DNA Network Pvt Ltd. KSCA claims its involvement was limited to providing the stadium as a venue under a rental agreement.

The petition also refers to a communication dated June 3, 2025, in which KSCA had formally requested security arrangements from senior police officials ahead of the event. Additionally, the association has announced an ex gratia of ₹5 lakh each for the families of those who lost their lives in the incident.

The KSCA further argues that the FIR appears to have selectively named its officials, along with those from RCB and DNA, in an attempt to deflect public anger away from state leaders and ministers who have also faced criticism for alleged mismanagement. The association insists that responsibilities for crowd control and gate management rested with the event organisers and the police, not with KSCA.

They also claim the FIR was filed without conducting a preliminary inquiry and under political and public pressure. Describing the stampede as an accident resulting from a sudden crowd surge, the petitioners maintain that neither intent nor negligence can be attributed to them.

The petition seeks interim relief by staying the FIR and any legal proceedings stemming from it, which was registered on June 5, 2025.