KARNATAKA | 1st JULY 2025 – The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) on Tuesday set aside the Karnataka government’s order suspending Additional Commissioner of Police (ACP) Vikash Kumar Vikash. The suspension was issued in the aftermath of the Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede in Bengaluru on June 4, which resulted in 11 deaths and 56 injuries.
Tribunal: Suspension Passed “Mechanically”
A coram comprising members BK Shrivastava and Santosh Mehra observed that the suspension order was issued without adequate grounds.
“In view of this Tribunal the (government) order Annexure – A3 has been passed in a mechanical manner and the order is not based upon the convincing materials. The Police officers have been suspended without any sufficient material or grounds. Hence, the aforesaid order is liable to be quashed,” the tribunal stated.
Consequently, the tribunal directed the State government to reinstate Vikash immediately.
BACKGROUND: STAMPEDE AFTER RCB VICTORY PARADE
The tragic stampede took place outside Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, when a large crowd gathered to greet the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) cricket team after they won the IPL 2025. The incident left 11 dead and 56 injured.
Following the tragedy, the Karnataka government suspended five officers: Vikash Kumar Vikash, B Dayananda, Shekar H Tekkannavar, C Balakrishna (ACP, Cubbon Park), and AK Girish (Inspector, Cubbon Park), citing dereliction of duty.
VIKASH’S ARGUMENTS: NO NOTICE OR OPPORTUNITY
Vikash challenged the suspension before CAT, arguing that he was not issued a show cause notice or given an opportunity to present his side.
His counsel contended that suspension should only be imposed in cases of grave misconduct, corruption, or criminal negligence, none of which had been established against Vikash. With the magisterial inquiry still pending and no preliminary findings implicating him, the suspension was unjustified.
GOVERNMENT’S STAND: PRIMA FACIE FAILURE IN POLICING
The State government argued that the primary responsibility of the police is to prevent crime and maintain law and order. It claimed that the circumstances surrounding the stampede indicated a prima facie failure on the part of the Bengaluru City Police.
However, the tribunal found that the government’s conclusion lacked a clear basis. The CAT emphasized that the suspension order did not detail how such findings were made before the inquiry concluded.
NO DIRECT INTIMATION TO VIKASH
The tribunal noted that the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) had only intimated the Inspector of Police, Cubbon Park—not Vikash—about the RCB parade.
“After mentioning the name of 5 officers, it is mentioned in the order that the CEO of RCB had intimated Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru City on 03.06.2025 about holding the victory parade and celebration on 04.06.2025. The aforesaid portion of the order is not correct because the respondents did not submit the copy of any intimation submitted to the Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru on 03.06.2025. The respondents himself submitted the copy of letter Annexure – R2 in this regard,” the CAT stated.
RCB’S ROLE HIGHLIGHTED
The tribunal also placed significant blame on RCB for the chaos.
“Without obtaining the permission from the Police or without the consent of concerned Police Officers, the franchise of RCB placed the information to the public on social media platforms.”
It further noted that about 3-5 lakh people gathered at a stadium with a capacity of just 35,000.
“RCB did not take the appropriate permission or consent from the Police. Suddenly, they posted on social media platforms and as a result of aforesaid information the public were gathered. Because of shortage of time on 04.06.2025, the Police was unable to do the appropriate arrangements. Sufficient time was not given to the Police.”
The tribunal emphasized that the police could not be expected to control such a massive crowd without proper planning:
“In such a scenario, the police did not have magic powers or ‘Alladin ka Chirag’ to control the gathering.”
RELIEF FOR OTHER OFFICERS
Finally, the CAT urged the government to extend similar relief to other officers suspended in connection with the incident.
“We also feel our duty to draw attention of the State Government towards the settled principle of law that where a citizen aggrieved by an action of government department has approached the Court and obtain a declaration of law in his/her favour, other similarly situated ought to be extended the benefit without the need for them to come to Court,” the tribunal said.
LEGAL REPRESENTATION
Senior Advocate Dhyan Chinnappa along with advocate Dhanush Menon represented Vikash Kumar Vikash. Additional Advocate General Reuben Jacob and advocate M Rajakumar appeared for the State.
