The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Head of Marketing Nikhil Sosale finds himself in real hot water following RCB's bus parade event, which soon turned into a chaotic stampede, claiming the lives of 11 people while leaving many fatally injured. Authorities were quick to clamp down and arrested him along with two other RCB officials at the airport while he was trying to flee the city. 

See also: WATCH: Virat Kohli super fan performs 'blood tilak' on poster after RCB won their maiden IPL title

Sosale submits his plea to the Karnataka High Court

Now in police custody under further notice, Sosale seeks immediate relief from prosecution. In a bid to evade the wrath of the law enforcement authorities, Sosale has reached out to the Karnataka High Court questioning the legal grounds of his arrest. While submitting a plea to the High Court, Sosale termed his arrest illegal, arbitrary, and not in accordance with the law.

“I was arrested without any preliminary enquiry and without any material evidence against me.”

The stampede occurred as a significant number of people assembled close to the stadium, eagerly awaiting the celebration event, which resulted in disorder and misfortune. RCB's marketing head argues that the arrest did not involve any preliminary investigation and was done solely on the basis of political pressure. While the outcome of his plea is awaited, it appears highly unlikely that he will get an interim bail considering the atrocious severity of the incident. 

Sosale was taken into police custody during the early hours of June 6, in the wake of the infamous stampede incident. While he may have been made the scapegoat in this entire fiasco, multiple FIRs have been issued against the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). Some top officials from the association have handed down their resignations, citing moral responsibilities. 

Meanwhile, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah issued a Magisterial probe into the stampede. The state administration has been instructed to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the shortcomings that could have contributed to the tragedy. Further on, the chief police commissioner, who was responsible for overseeing the entire event, has been suspended indefinitely by the CM. The RCB bus parade day serves as a reminder of how a glory day for a cricket team can turn into a catastrophic nightmare if adequate measures are overlooked.

On June 3, 2025, history was created as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) went on to clinch their maiden IPL title, thus ending an 18-year-long drought and putting endless trolls to rest. RCB's ace batter Virat Kohli played an instrumental role in leading the franchise to glory, finishing as the top run-getter for RCB in the season, averaging nearly 54, and third overall, trailing Sai Sudharshan and Suryakumar Yadav.  

The entire country went into celebration mode following RCB's euphoric title glory. Although the grand moment has now been overshadowed by the horrific stampede tragedy, which claimed the lives of 11 innocent fans, another disturbing video has surfaced of a fan performing a 'blood tilak' on Virat Kohli's poster by slitting his left hand. 

See also: KSCA confirms June 4 RCB victory parade approved by Karnataka Government

The die-hard fan goes bonkers over RCB's win

With widespread celebration reported around the country, one particular video stood out for all the wrong reasons. Deeply disturbing as it may seem, in a video that has now gone viral, a die-hard Kohli supporter was seen slitting his left hand with a pointed object. He used the blood coming out of his left hand as a tilak and applied it to Virat Kohli's poster.

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— Ghar Ke Kalesh (@gharkekalesh) June 6, 2025

After applying the "tilak" the fan burst into celebration and removed his shirt to show off his craze and love for the Chase master. The video instantly drew mixed reactions. Some questioned the absurdity of the lunatic act. While others pondered as to what extent the youth are willing to drag themselves to display their admiration for their idols.  

The excitement of the fans following RCB's historic title win had no bounds. Many fans had gathered outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium in astronomical numbers to catch a glimpse of their team. But in a matter of a few moments, the situation worsened rapidly, and a chaotic situation ensued, which resulted in the sad demise of 11 fans while leaving several others injured. 

Following the stampede tragedy, FIRs were filed against RCB, event management company DNA, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) for poor management, and the Karnataka state government as well.

The tragedy that has unfolded during RCB's victory parade event has left the entire country shaken. The officials who were responsible for overseeing the event have either been sacked or arrested. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has not evaded the wrath of the public, and reports have emerged that some of the top officials have already handed in their resignations on moral grounds.

Secretary A Shankar and Treasurer ES Jairam have submitted their resignation to KSCA president Raghuram Bhat following the horrific stampede incident that claimed the lives of 11 innocent fans. The resignation was made on the grounds of moral responsibility.  

See also: BCCI makes major move following stampede tragedy at RCB’s IPL 2025 victory celebrations in Bengaluru

Shankar and Jairam conveyed their wish to resign by writing to KSCA on Friday night. The message reads as follows: 

"Due to the unforeseen and unfortunate events that have unfolded in the last two days, and though our role was very limited, but owing moral responsibility, we wish to state that last night we have tendered our resignations to our respective posts as secretary and treasurer of the KSCA."

KSCA finds itself in troubled waters 

Following the horrific stampede clash, the authorities reacted swiftly, clamping down on anyone who had acted irresponsibly. RCB's head of marketing department, Nikhil Sosal, was an obvious target, and he was arrested along with three other RCB officials at the airport. Sosal was cautioned by the Bangalore police not to conduct the parade at such short notice. However, he pressed the authorities, ignoring the safety precautions, which ultimately resulted in a huge catastrophe for the franchise. 

An FIR was also lodged against KSCA. To counter it, KSCA submitted a writ petition, contending that the FIR filed against them was a "knee-jerk" response by the police, influenced by pressure from the state government.

SK Singh, the newly appointed police commissioner of the city, was also sacked from the post by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah as he acted on the directives issued by the RCB head of marketing. KSCA, on the other hand, also had to disband some of the members of their security who were responsible for controlling the mob. 

Amidst a heated backlash, KSCA has defended its stance by stating that the incident was triggered by an unprecedented influx of people and not by a specific individual or organisation. Besides, the association also added that the gate and crowd management were not within KSCA's scope, but fell under the jurisdiction of RCB, the event organisers, and the police.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) victory parade day goes horribly wrong on June 4, 2025. What was meant to be a day to celebrate RCB's historic IPL title win was soon marred by reports of many losing their lives and several others succumbing to serious injuries. RCB's victory parade was meant to start from Vidhan Soudha and end at M Chinnaswamy Stadium. But a massive crowd buildup near the stadium stretched the authorities thin as they failed to control the vast influx of fans entering the stadium.

See also: IPL chairman issues clarification on BCCI's involvement in victory parade mishap

Virat and Anushka in deep anguish following the horror stampede 

In view of the grim incident, the RCB franchise issued a post on social media to acknowledge the loss of 11 people in the stampede and also issued heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. The post was later shared by Anushka Sharma on her social media account. Speaking of the tragic incident, both Anushka and Virat were shaken to the core as their heart went out to those who lost their lives in the victory parade stampede. 

The statement reiterated the franchise's commitment to supporter safety while both Virat and Anushka conveyed their heartfelt condolences to the fallen souls who had turned up to get a taste of the historic moment. The entire RCB team was inside the stadium while carnage unfolded just outside the gates.  

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by AnushkaSharma1588 (@anushkasharma)

As soon as the team was made aware of the unfortunate happenings in the close vicinity, the parade was cut short. The tragedy at the RCB victory parade day has attracted the ire of the fans, with many blaming the authorities and the ruling Congress party for not being able to implement adequate crowd control measures. Even the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has not been able to evade blame, and there seems to be a growing amount of pressure on them for allowing the situation to escalate to a point where RCB's maiden title win has been overshadowed by the loss of people. 

A magisterial inquiry has been launched into the tragic stampede near the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) IPL triumph celebrations on Wednesday, June 4. The stampede claimed the lives of 11 people and injured over 50. G. Jagadeesha, the Bengaluru Urban district Deputy Commissioner, heading the investigation, declared that notices will be served on several parties involved, such as the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), RCB officials, event promoters, and City Police Commissioner B. Dayananda.

Jagadeesha personally went to the stadium on Thursday to inspect the ground and assured that a detailed inquiry is on the go. "I am launching the inquiry today and will not make any conclusions until facts are collected," he said in a statement to the media. He added that the probe would be finished within 15 days and a report would be given to the government. Jagadeesha also explained that he was not the officer who grants event permits, as this is the domain of the Police Commissioner.

The disaster has caused outrage among the public and political debate throughout the state. On this, the Karnataka State Government had previously declared a complete magisterial inquiry into the accident and vowed to prosecute those involved. The unruly crowd of an estimated thousand or more reportedly overwhelmed the capacity of the stadium, presenting a dangerous scenario that eventually degenerated into tragedy.

New SOPs for Crowd Control on the Way

State Home Minister G. Parameshwara, in his press statement after the incident, has assured that the government will introduce a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in order to better handle large public gatherings. The new norms will ensure safety for the future by improving the planning and crowd control.

Also Read: RCB team management take huge step to support families of those affected in M Chinnaswamy stampede

Parameshwara promised the public that action would be taken strictly against the administrative deficiencies that caused the stampede. "We are committed to identifying the gaps and making sure such an incident never happens again," he said, reiterating the government's commitment to putting public safety first.

Following the disastrous stampede at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) announced very robust support for the impacted families/individuals. In an official announcement, the franchise has confirmed a premium support of ₹10 lakh each for all eleven families that lost their loved ones in the incident.

The stampede took place during a large public reception event to welcome the RCB team back to Bengaluru after their remarkable inaugural IPL title. The overwhelming turnout unfortunately led to crowd control issues, resulting in multiple injuries and fatalities. RCB expressed deep regret and assured fans that the RCB franchise prioritizes fan safety first.

Besides the compensation for the deceased, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have launched a relief program called ‘RCB Cares’ to also help those affected to recover if injured, so they too receive support. The fund will be used for medical costs and provide ongoing support to aid recovery of victims.

RCB Stands by Its Fans

"RCB Cares" is launched in conjunction with hospitals, local authorities, and NGOs to provide injured fans the critical medical care or emotional support inherent in RCB Cares. One way for any franchise to express that they are not only committed to cricket but also to that larger community that invests every bit of passion into supporting it.

Also Read: Mumbai T20 2025, Match 5: ARCS Andheri vs Aakash Tigers MWS Full Match Highlights

As RCB continues to celebrate its first IPL title, they are choosing to lead with compassion and accountability. Their quick and thoughtful response to this tragedy is recognized and demonstrated by fans and the cricket community, reinforcing the critical human values of empathy and accountability for any human-to-human interaction.

The RCB victory parade turned haywire on June 4 as the event quickly turned into a stampede, resulting in endless chaos and a tragic loss of life. Former Indian cricketer Madan Lal voiced his concern over the stampede incident and blamed RCB for the poor planning and lapses in crowd management measures. 

The end to RCB's 18-year-long title drought got all their fans over the moon. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) organized a felicitation ceremony to honor the franchise's historic achievement. But panic and chaos engulfed the city as fans tried storming into the stadium to capture the iconic moment. 

See also: Watch: Deputy CM of Karnataka himself receives Virat Kohli in the airport

Madan Lal slams the franchise for the stampede death

In a recent discussion with IANS, the former Indian legend expressed grief and shock while talking about the stampede incident and urged the victims' families to stand up and sue RCB. 

"People will not forget this —or Virat Kohli. While people were dying outside, there was a celebration inside. It's truly shocking and disheartening. The families of the dead should consider suing RCB and the state government for ₹100 crore for this tragic mishap...BCCI is also shirking responsibility."

The massive buildup near the M. Chinnaswamy stadium left the authorities unprepared. With the situation quickly escalating beyond a point of no return, police resorted to a lathi-charge in a bid to contain the crowd. Amidst this chaos, people succumbed to injuries, while some unfortunate souls lost their lives. The casualties were rushed to the nearby hospitals, while the injured ones were being treated at the ICU of the Vaidehi Hospital.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also voiced his concern over this incident and announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the family of the dead. Responding to the growing criticism from the fans,  Siddaramaiah defended the arrangements and stated that a robust police force couldn't have been deployed on the crowd that primarily comprised the youth. 

What was meant to be a day of celebration for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and their passionate fanbase turned into a horrific tragedy outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. As thousands of fans gathered to witness RCB’s historic victory parade after their maiden IPL title, the crowd’s excitement quickly spiraled out of control. What began with chants and celebrations soon descended into scenes of chaos, as crowd control measures proved woefully inadequate. The situation escalated within hours, resulting in a deadly stampede that shocked the entire cricketing community.

The stampede claimed the lives of 11 fans, casting a dark shadow over what should have been a jubilant occasion. Dozens more were injured, with many still undergoing treatment. Eyewitnesses described horrifying scenes of people getting trampled and cries for help going unheard in the sea of noise. While fans were eager to share the victory moment with their heroes, the lack of barricades, emergency exits, and security personnel only made things worse. Emergency services arrived late, adding to the grief and anger. The entire nation has been left shaken by the sheer scale of the mismanagement and loss.

See Also: IPL 2025: RCB team management comes up with official statement on stampede at M Chinnaswamy

The aftermath of the tragedy has triggered widespread outrage. Authorities and organizers have started trading blame, with the BCCI finding itself at the center of criticism. Many are questioning how such a large-scale event was allowed to take place without proper safety protocols. Social media is abuzz with demands for accountability, and public trust in the governing bodies has taken a massive hit. What was meant to be a proud, emotional milestone for RCB has now become one of the darkest chapters in IPL history.

BCCI responds strongly to the criticism 

Amidst heightened criticism, IPL chairman Arun Dhumal shares a strong message on the deadly stampede that took place outside the stadium, leaving several injured or dead. Dhumal clarified that the BCCI had no role to play in organizing the RCB victory parade event in the aftermath of the final. He expressed deep sorrow and regret for those who lost their lives in the stampede, but added that the governing body can't be blamed for this fiasco. 

“It is sad and tragic. The celebrations turned into a tragedy. Our heartfelt condolences go to the families who lost their loved ones. For the BCCI, the IPL concluded last night. We had no knowledge of such an incident occurring, so how can we be held responsible for it?”

Moreover, he also questioned the absence of IPL officials who, in his opinion, should have been present in huge numbers. Organizing RCB's victory parade came at a very short notice, almost a day after the IPL 2025 final concluded. This gave very little time for the authorities to brace themselves for what was to come. The news of the deceased fans outside the stadium compelled Dhumal to get in touch with RCB. He then advised the franchise to take stock of the situation and wrap up the celebration as quickly as possible before it could spiral further out of control. 

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) victory parade turns tragic as several people are believed to have lost their lives and succumbed to grave injuries. What was meant to be a monumental occasion for RCB and its fans was soon marred by reports of deaths. Fans flocked in colossal numbers to attend the victory parade. With a massive crowd buildup in such a short space of time, a stampede-like situation ensued, which quickly overwhelmed the authorities. 

See also: WATCH: Fans explain stampede situation outside Chinnaswamy stadium

The unfortunate news emerging from Bengaluru has left many observers gravely concerned. So much so that the situation has got the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, involved in the thick of things. Modi expressed grief and offered condolences for those fallen souls who had turned up to celebrate RCB's maiden title win in a euphoric fashion. He further wished to see a quick recovery for those who succumbed to injuries during the stampede. 

Prime Minister Modi expresses condolences for the tragic stampede in Bengaluru

While taking to his X account, PMO tweeted that the tragic incident was heartrending and stands in solidarity with those who have lost their loved ones. 

“The mishap in Bengaluru is absolutely heartrending. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that those who are injured have a speedy recovery.”

Crowd goes wild near the M. Chinnaswamy stadium

The situation started taking a turn for the worse as soon as the RCB team bus approached the stadium. The stampede is believed to have broken out at 4:45 PM local time. With the situation swiftly getting out of control, the police clamped down on hard on the supporters and resorted to lathi-charge in a bid to get the mob under control. Injured fans were then taken to the nearby Bowring Hospital for further treatment. 

The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) arranged a grand felicitation ceremony to honour the RCB team for their historic IPL title win. But a sea of supporters (inlcuding ones without passes) caught the authorities off guard. Fans went wild as they attempted to catch a glimse of their superstarts. People were seeing climbing on the walls while other fans tried to force their way through the gates pushing everyone else around. That is when the event took a dangeorous turn. 

Karnataka BJP President BY Vijayendra condemed the incident and blamed the ruling party for the negligence which ulimately led to the unfortunate mishap. 

As Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) came back home to a hero's welcome after their first-ever IPL championship triumph, a sad incident occurred in different parts of the city. Demands for huge gatherings broke out in different places in Bengaluru, predominantly in the vicinity of the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, resulting in a jostle-like situation that allegedly claimed casualties.

In response, the management of the RCB has issued an official statement conveying sorrow and solidarity with the families. "We are deeply anguished by the unfortunate incidents that have come to light through media reports regarding public gatherings all over Bengaluru in anticipation of the team’s arrival this afternoon," the franchise noted. "The safety and well-being of everyone is of utmost importance to us."

The statement further states that as soon as the RCB squad became aware of the situation, they also quickly changed their plans to return home. The franchise worked together with local authorities to ensure that the balance of the events were then conducted with maximum safety.

"Heartfelt Condolences" and Appeal for Safety

In a statement that was both sorrowful and responsible, RCB conveyed their deepest condolences to the grieving families who lost dear lives. "RCB mourns the tragic loss of lives and extends our heartfelt condolences to the affected families," the statement added.

Also Read: [WATCH] IPL 2025: Massive crowd gather at Vidhana Soudha for RCB

The team also appealed to fans to stay safe and vigilant at this time of jubilation. As the city was still under the emotional wave of RCB's IPL 2025 win, the words were a reminder of the need to keep the public above fanfare. The team is likely to conduct a more organized and secure celebratory function in cooperation with the Bengaluru administration in the coming days.