Bengaluru police have arrested a senior Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) official, Nikhil Sosale, along with three others linked to DNA Entertainment, in connection with the tragic stampede outside Chinnaswamy Stadium that claimed 11 lives and injured over 50 people. Those arrested also include event managers Sunil Mathew and Kiran Kumar.
The incident occurred on Wednesday during RCB’s victory parade following their maiden IPL title win. A massive crowd had gathered outside the stadium, leading to a deadly stampede. In response, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah ordered immediate arrests of RCB, DNA Entertainment, and Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) representatives, citing serious negligence.
A suo motu case has been filed by Cubbon Park police, naming RCB, DNA Entertainment, and KSCA as the first, second, and third accused, respectively. Charges include culpable homicide not amounting to murder and endangering life under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). A second FIR was also registered based on the complaint of a survivor.
The arrests followed the suspension of top police officials, including Commissioner B. Dayananda. Seemant Kumar Singh, the new commissioner, took charge just before the crackdown. The CID’s Special Investigation Team is now handling the probe.
