In a dramatic twist of circumstances in the wake of the horrific Bengaluru stampede on June 4, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has held Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) prima facie liable for the stampede that resulted in the deaths of 11 people and injured dozens of others. The stampede occurred outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium while the franchise was celebrating its IPL 2025 title, an event that turned tragic because of inadequate coordination and a lack of foresight.

The Tribunal was acting on a plea filed by Additional Commissioner of Police Vikash Kumar Vikash, who had been suspended after the incident. CAT, in its strongly worded order, exonerated Vikash and the police department and turned the spotlight squarely on RCB's role. The Tribunal held that the franchise had gone through required formalities, specifically not obtaining the permission of the police and failing to alert law enforcement in time to provide necessary security.

"Prima facie, it seems that it was the responsibility of the RCB to organize the mobilization of around three to five lakh of people," the Tribunal noted. "RCB never sought proper permission or leave from the police. They suddenly announced on social media sites, and hence… people went public." 

"Not Magicians with Aladdin's Lamp": Tribunal Justifies Police Action

The Tribunal indicated that the police were deprived of a realistic timeframe. It noted that the viral social media posting announcing a victory parade gave authorities only 12 hours to prepare for it. "It cannot be expected from the Police that within such a short time… they will make all arrangements," the order explained, justifying the force's constraints. "Police personnel are also human beings… not magicians with Aladdin's lamp."

The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) also attracted criticism for its imprecise communication. The KSCA, the Tribunal says, sent only a typical letter of intent to the police rather than specifically requesting permission or assistance in crowd management.

CAT says IPL Team #RCB is prima facie responsible for Bengaluru Stampede which claimed 11 lives.

Police is not magician, can't be expected manage huge crowds if not given sufficient time to make arrangements, the Tribunal observed.@RCBTweets @KarnatakaCops #BengaluruStampede pic.twitter.com/2QdmvohATs

— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) July 1, 2025

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Legal Troubles Mount for RCB and Associates

RCB's legal woes seem far from over. The franchise had already been hit with a criminal case by the Karnataka government, citing their "relentless tweeting" as the reason for the huge and unruly crowd outside Vidhana Soudha and the stadium. CID probes and a judicial inquiry are continuing, and the findings of the CAT only add strength to the franchise's case.

In the wake of the tragedy at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had directed the arrest of several officials associated with RCB, DNA Networks (the event management company), and the KSCA. Top police officials, including Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda, were suspended. With the CAT now clearing the police top brass of any responsibility, reinstatements are imminent.

A Painful Reckoning for RCB as Accountability Takes Center Stage

In a show of moral responsibility, KSCA treasurer ES Jairam and secretary A Shankar quit soon after the tragedy. Though their resignation does not clear the body of procedural failure, it highlights the seriousness of the breakdown in coordination among the franchise, the cricket board, and the authorities.

As RCB reeled under both legal and reputational backlash, this episode is a grim reminder of the duty that accompanies public celebration, particularly in a city as crowded and emotional as Bengaluru. The findings of the CAT are a watershed moment in the quest for accountability. But for the victims' families, the journey to justice is long from being complete.

The June 4 celebrations were meant to top a fairy-tale IPL campaign for RCB. They have turned out to be a source of sorrow for the franchise, one that will perhaps define its public perception in the years ahead.