Delhi, 6 June (H.S.): Bengaluru police have arrested Nikhil Sosale, marketing head of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), at Kempegowda International Airport while he was trying to fly to Mumbai, two days after a stampede killed 11 fans celebrating RCB’s first IPL title win. Also detained are DNA Entertainment staffers Kiran, Sumanth, and Sunil Mathew, named in an FIR filed at Cubbon Park Police Station. However, KSCA Secretary Shankar and Treasurer Jayaram are reported to be absconding.
In response, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah suspended several senior Bengaluru police officers, including the city Police Commissioner, with immediate effect. A one-man commission chaired by retired High Court Judge Justice Michael D’Cunha has been appointed to investigate the matter. Arrests have been decided against RCB, event manager DNA, and KSCA.
Additionally, a case has been registered against DNA Entertainment Private Limited at Cubbon Park Police Station. The FIR includes charges of voluntarily causing hurt and grievous hurt, unlawful assembly, and other offenses under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner G Jagadeesha is leading a magisterial inquiry, issuing notices to KSCA, RCB, and Police Commissioner B Dayananda for participation, while the Karnataka High Court has directed the state government to submit a status report by June 10.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s joy of winning a first IPL title in 18 years turned tragic as 11 people lost their lives in stampede at a planned victory parade on Wednesday.Celebration for cricket fans in Karnataka turned chaotic when the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) parade was canceled last minute. Initially announced as an open-top bus parade from Vidhana Soudha to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, confusion arose after Bengaluru Traffic Police declared the cancellation just before noon. Large crowds had already gathered by the time RCB players arrived at HAL airport around 1:30 pm. Despite the cancellation, the team proceeded to their hotel and then to Vidhana Soudha for a brief public function with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, leading to overcrowding and a stampede outside the stadium.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
