Karnataka High Court Issues Notices in Bangalore RCB Victory Stampede Case
The Karnataka High Court has issued notices to the state government, the Karnataka Cricket Association (KCA), and the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) following a stampede during celebrations for RCB's victory in Bengaluru. The court will investigate security arrangements and responsibilities at the next hearing.
Karnataka High Court Bangalore Stampede: The Karnataka High Court has issued notices to the state government, the Karnataka Cricket Association (KCA), and RCB regarding the stampede that occurred during the celebrations of RCB's victory in Bengaluru. The court questioned the government about the inadequacy of security arrangements in view of the large crowd. It also highlighted the need for concrete measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
High Court Issues Notice to State Government
The stampede among RCB fans celebrating outside Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium has now taken a legal turn. The Karnataka High Court has sought a response from the government. The court stated that a clear and stringent Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) should be in place to prevent such incidents.
The Chief Justice clarified that adequate arrangements for crowd control, ambulances on-site, and information regarding nearby hospitals should have been in place to handle emergency situations.
Attorney General's Explanation
Appearing for the state government, Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty informed the court that the government is taking the matter seriously and has not adopted any adverse stance. He stated that there should be no political debate on this issue, but rather a focus on conducting a transparent investigation and taking action against those responsible.
He also acknowledged that only one ambulance was present at the venue, which was insufficient for the large crowd. The court questioned whether this was part of a proper plan. In response, the government admitted that the number was inadequate.
Notices to Organizers
Besides the government, the Karnataka High Court has also issued notices to the Karnataka Cricket Association (KCA) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Both have been asked to present their respective sides and clarify their responsibilities.
Regarding the event's organization, the court questioned the organizers about who decided to honor the RCB players and the basis for selecting two different locations—Vidhana Soudha and M. Chinnaswamy Stadium—as venues.
Petition Alleges Failure of State Machinery
This matter came up for hearing based on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Lohit G Hanumapaura. The petition alleges that the negligence of the state government, police, BBMP (Bengaluru Municipal Corporation), and stadium administration led to the dangerous stampede situation.
The petitioner argued that the government was well aware of RCB's large fan base, yet the event planning was rushed, and crucial aspects like crowd control, traffic management, medical facilities, and emergency exits were overlooked.
