'Land I Bought For Him...': Bengaluru Stampede Victim’s Father Breaks Down At Grave

In a deeply emotional video that has gone viral, a grieving father from Karnataka is seen clinging to his son's grave, refusing to leave. BT Lakshman, father of 21-year-old Bhumik Lakshman, broke down at the burial site in Kappagode village, Belur taluka, following his son's death in the tragic stampede outside Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The incident occurred during celebrations after Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) secured their first-ever IPL title.

The stampede, triggered by an overwhelming crowd surge at the stadium gates, left at least 11 people dead and 47 others injured, turning a night of celebration into a devastating scene.

Bhumik, a final-year engineering student from Hassan district, had travelled to Bengaluru with friends to participate in the festivities. Instead, his life was cut short in the chaos that unfolded. His father, BT Lakshman, was filmed lying on the ground, his head resting against his son's grave, overwhelmed with grief. "The land I bought for him is where his memorial stands now," he mourned, sobbing uncontrollably. "What happened to my son should not happen to anyone else."

In the video, Lakshman pleads to remain at the grave, saying, "I don't want to go anywhere else now. I want to stay here too." Nearby villagers were seen gently trying to lift and comfort him.

Earlier, Lakshman had requested that authorities not conduct a post-mortem on Bhumik's body, saying, "I had only one son, and now I have lost him. Please give me his body, don't cut it into pieces."

Political Heat and Legal Action Follow Stampede Tragedy

The tragedy has triggered significant public anger and political uproar. The Karnataka BJP has accused the state government of serious negligence. Several senior police officials, including the Bengaluru Police Commissioner, have been suspended following the incident.

The Karnataka High Court has taken suo motu cognizance and scheduled a hearing for June 10. Additionally, legal proceedings are underway: a Bengaluru court has remanded one RCB official and three members of DNA Entertainment, the firm managing the event, to 14 days of judicial custody.

There are also growing demands for accountability from the Karnataka State Cricket Association and the M Chinnaswamy Stadium's CEO. As investigations continue, the tragedy remains a painful reminder of the consequences of mismanagement during large-scale public events.