BENGALURU, JUNE 4 2025 —
The Karnataka High Court on Thursday registered a suo motu case concerning the tragic stampede that occurred outside Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday, June 4. The incident resulted in 11 deaths and left 56 others injured.
COURT STEPS IN FOLLOWING TRAGIC INCIDENT
A Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice V Kameswar Rao and Justice CM Joshi initiated the suo motu proceedings after receiving multiple representations, including a public interest litigation (PIL) and a letter from a Union Minister.
The Court has directed the State government to file a status report and posted the matter for further hearing on Tuesday, June 10.
CAUSE OF THE STAMPEDE: SUDDEN SHIFT TO FREE ENTRY
The stampede occurred when a large crowd gathered to celebrate Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) victory in 18 years. Fans assembled at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, where the RCB team was scheduled to appear.
Initially, an entry fee was charged for the event. However, it was allegedly announced late that free entry would be permitted, which led to a massive surge of people trying to enter the stadium. The stadium, designed to accommodate approximately 30,000 people, saw an overwhelming crowd of over 2.5 lakh, according to Advocate General (AG) Shashi Kiran Shetty.
MAGISTERIAL INQUIRY ORDERED BY STATE
The State government promptly ordered a magisterial inquiry into the matter on Wednesday. The AG stated that this inquiry would be “prompt”, with a report expected within 15 days. Public witnesses have been invited to testify, and “everything will be video recorded for lordships’ consideration,” AG Shetty assured the Court.
HIGH COURT RECEIVES PIL AND LETTER FROM UNION MINISTER
Soon after the incident, a PIL petition was filed by advocate Lohith G Hanumapura, through counsel Lohitaswa Banakar, requesting an independent judicial inquiry.
“Given the grave nature of the incident and the possibility of systemic administrative failures, it is imperative that an impartial judicial enquiry be conducted under the supervision of a sitting judge of this Hon’ble Court,” the plea stated.
Additionally, Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje (BJP), also addressed a letter to the Court urging it to take suo motu cognizance of the tragedy.
SENIOR LAWYERS DEMAND INDEPENDENT INQUIRY
During the afternoon hearing, several lawyers urged the Court to appoint an independent agency to investigate the tragedy.
Senior Advocate Aruna Shyam argued:
“Let State clarify where they deployed ambulance etc. The person who was supposed to control mob is deputed to conduct inquiry now. Court may pass orders to appoint an independent inquiry agency.”
Another lawyer questioned the rationale behind hosting the felicitation at multiple venues and emphasized the need for accountability:
“What is the obligation of State to felicitate players who have not played for country or State? Why they have conducted the programme at two places – Vidhan Soudha and the Chinnaswamy stadium? What are the safety measures taken by State?”
COURT EMPHASIZES NEED FOR SOP AND EMERGENCY PROTOCOLS
The Court underlined the urgent need for a Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) to handle large public gatherings in the future.
It emphasized that such SOPs must include:
Proper crowd control mechanisms
Deployment of sufficient ambulances
Pre-identified nearby hospitals
Clear public information channels
In response, AG Shetty maintained that the State has taken the matter seriously and is “not taking an adversarial approach”.
“There is no question of hiding anything,” he added.
NEXT STEPS
The Karnataka High Court has officially registered a suo motu case and directed the State to submit a comprehensive status report. The next hearing has been scheduled for June 10, 2025. The Court has also sought a status report in the matter from the State government.
Read More: https://www.lawyerarc.com/news/litigation/karnataka-high-court-registers-suo-motu-case-on-chinnaswamy-stadium-stampede
