In a stunning development that could reshape their title defense, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are set to play the IPL 2026 season away from their iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Following a tragic stampede that claimed 11 lives and injured over 70 outside the venue on June 4, just a day after RCB’s historic IPL 2025 win, the Karnataka government has declared the stadium unfit for hosting major events, including high-profile cricket matches.

The incident occurred during a victory celebration parade that drew an estimated 300,000 fans, nearly ten times the stadium’s 35,000 capacity. Mismanagement of security and lack of crowd control were cited in a judicial commission’s scathing report, which held RCB, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), and event organizers DNA Entertainment Networks responsible for the chaos. Shockingly, all 79 police officers deployed for the event were stationed inside the stadium, with none outside to manage the massive crowd.

The Karnataka cabinet has approved legal action against key individuals from RCB, KSCA, and the event agency. While the state government initially appeared to blame the IPL franchise, it has since acknowledged failures on the part of senior police officials as well, including the suspension of Bengaluru’s police commissioner and other top officers. The official report, led by retired Justice John Michael D’Cunha, found the organizers operated without necessary permissions, failed to regulate entries, and ignored critical safety measures.

ALSO SEE: IPL to ban RCB? Stampede to put IPL 2025 winners in massive trouble

RCB set to play IPL 2026 away from Chinnaswamy after stampede tragedy forces stadium ban

As a consequence, RCB will lose the home-ground advantage at Chinnaswamy, a venue renowned for its electric atmosphere and die-hard fan base. The franchise will be assigned a new home stadium for the 2026 edition, though the BCCI has yet to confirm the replacement venue.

RCB had just finished their long wait for a title with Rajat Patidar's January coming out party as they defeated Punjab Kings at the 2025 IPL final in Ahmedabad, but the elations turned into a tragedy, and we are now dealing with the ramifications of it before what should be an eventful season.

The event has also sparked political blame games, where the opposition BJP is blaming the Congress-led Karnataka government for endorsing the event without any real enforcement of safety norms. The Karnataka Government ,meanwhile, pledges to restructure those safety norms before allowing a large, public events at the stadium. And with court processes continuing, with no solid timeline in which Chinnaswamy will become a cricket venue again, it is a difficult transition year for RCB away from home as defending champions, under significant public scrutiny.

More than a month has gone by since the stampede at Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium rocked the city during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) IPL 2025 victory celebration. Though RCB and the Karnataka government had made early assurances of assistance and compensation, several families of the victims now claim they have been given no assistance.

The stampede happened on June 4 when huge crowds of people thronged around the stadium after RCB's championship-winning season. Poor crowd control and a lack of coordination between event management and security forces caused panic and chaos, with 11 fatalities and many injuries, as per reports.

In the initial aftermath, RCB had issued a public statement of sympathy and had announced a compensation package of ₹10 lakh per family. The Karnataka government had also offered ₹25 lakh per family. But now, as per recent reports, it is reported that several families state they are yet to receive any official communication or disbursement of funds.

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RCB Yet to Fulfill Compensation Promise, Victims' Families Left in Limbo After Bengaluru Stampede

Some relatives, in an interview with local media, said that in spite of repeated follow-ups, they have not been made aware of timelines or procedures. This confusion has contributed to the anguish of bereaved families who are already struggling with legal and administrative complexities.

Sources in the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) have indicated that talks were on, and RCB stated that compensation had been processed at official levels. Yet, no word has appeared publicly that funds have reached the recipients.

The accident has caused increasing public attention to the management of crowd safety in massive sporting events. Judicial proceedings are in motion, with the government conducting investigations into the breakdowns in planning and security. In the meantime, certain police officers and RCB staff on duty at the event have been suspended or questioned.

For the time being, the victim families remain in expectation of promises being kept. The stampede is still one of the darkest moments of recent IPL history, offering pressing questions over responsibility, readiness, and the necessity of swift relief efforts for victims.

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.

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Head of Marketing, Nikhil Sosale, has been released on a temporary bail and has also been asked to surrender his passport. Sosale, along with two of his other associates from DNA Entertainment Network, named Kiran Kumar (Senior Event Manager) and Sunil Mathew (Vice President - Business Affairs), were arrested on June 6, at the Bangalore International Airport while trying to flee the city in the wake of the tragic stampede outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium. 

See also: RCB marketing head arrested, event organizers detained in deadly stampede case

Temporary respite for Sosale and his close aids

Sosale was taken into custody by the Central Crime Branch upon arrival at the airport during the early hours of Friday, June 6. On the same day, Sosale's attorney raised concerns regarding the legality of the arrest in the Karnataka High Court; however, the case was postponed until the beginning of the following week. The High Court listened to the arguments presented by both parties until Wednesday and delivered its ruling on Thursday afternoon, June 12.

The High Court granted interim bail to Sosale, Kiran, and Sunil on the condition that they surrender their passports. Justice SR Krishna Kumar directed the release of the three convicted men on June 12. Sandesh Chouta, a senior advocate representing Sosale, countered the allegations against him by saying that the police have no right to target employees, stating that there is no vicarious liability.  

Contrary to Chouta's claims, advocate general Shashi Kiran Shetty, appearing for the state, put the blame back on RCB, stating that proper permissions for the victory parade were not obtained. The announcement was previously made in a now-deleted tweet from the RCB. 

The serious matter has now gone to the High Court, where RCB, KSCA, and the State are all trading blame with one another. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), in its defence, said that they are only responsible for facilitating cricketing activities in the state of Karnataka and had no role to play in organizing the event. The governing body further added that the task force, responsible for maintaining security in the stadium premises, was not within their scope either.

In the upcoming 28th Apex Council Meeting, expected to take place on June 14, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to conduct an in-depth review of the existing standard operating procedures (SOPs) used for conducting victory parades and revise them if necessary to bolster public safety. This development comes in the wake of RCB's tragic bus parade event that claimed the lives of 11 fans. It is believed that the matter will be taken seriously to ensure further mishaps like these are prevented in the future.

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) brought an end to their 18-year-long title drought by dismissing Punjab Kings in an intense, nail-biting thriller by six runs. Celebrations broke through the entire nation, and fans from different pockets of the country turned on their celebration mode to cherish this once-in-a-lifetime moment. RCB's maiden title win got everyone over the moon. Even the authorities and the senior RCB officials couldn't resist their temptation and wanted to get out of their way to celebrate this grand moment.

Just 24 hours after RCB's maiden title win, the decision was made to hold a bus parade event in the heart of Bengaluru city. Despite receiving objections from the police, the RCB officials, in collaboration with the Karnataka government, gave a green signal for the event. At such short notice, fans gathered in astronomical numbers outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, and the security personnel were quickly overrun. Soon after, the inevitable had to happen as a chaotic situation developed and the police lost control of the mob, which later resulted in the unfortunate death of 11 civilians while leaving many seriously injured. 

The BCCI, distancing itself from any direct participation in the event, has issued a strong condemnation of the incident. Secretary Devajit Saikia emphasized the necessity for accountability. In light of the urgency surrounding the issue, the Apex Council has prioritized the discussion on the IPL victory celebration and the formulation of guidelines as a key agenda item.

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So what else is on the agenda for the BCCI?

Apart from the discussion on revised security measures for crown control, there are a few other non-pressing issues that are on the table for the BCCI to tackle. The governing body will need to take a final call on finalizing the venues for the New Zealand white-ball series, which will comprise five T20Is and three ODIs. In addition, the approval of the 2025-26 domestic season also needs to be finalized. 

Moreover, the BCCI will also look into a complaint submitted by V. Agam Rao, President of the Karimnagar District Cricket Association, on matters of alleged mismanagement of cricket infrastructure funds in Telangana. Other miscellaneous initiatives include the revision of tournament allowance policies for staff, proposed changes to the Age Verification Programme (AVP), and the appointment of coaches for umpires and match referees.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has strongly refuted rumors of him buying a stake in Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Rumors had cropped up in the wake of the unfortunate stampede in Bengaluru, with some connecting Shivakumar to a possible investment in the IPL team. But he clarified that he has no business stakes in RCB and outrightly rejected the reports as unfounded.

In a communication to the Financial Express, Shivakumar explained, "I am not a madman. I have just been a member of the Karnataka State Cricket Association since my younger days. That's all. I don't have time. Though I had offers to be a part of the management, I have not gone to any of these. I don't have time for my own educational institution. I have resigned and left it to my other family members to take care of it. Why do I need RCB? I don't drink Royal Challenge either." His utterances were intended to end the rumor-mongering and distance himself from any ownership dreams.

Shivakumar also disclosed that though he was approached with proposals to join RCB's management, he rejected them because of lack of time and household responsibilities. Highlighting his non-involvement in such enterprises, he affirmed that even running his own educational institutions had proved beyond him, compelling him to retreat and delegate authority to family members.

Political Firestorm Following Stampede Incident

The rumors came after a political controversy was unleashed following the stampede during an RCB victory celebration event in Bengaluru, killing 11 fans and injuring more than 40. Shivakumar's attendance at the event became the subject of criticism when BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi attacked the Congress state government.

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Joshi even called for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM Shivakumar to resign, holding the government responsible for disregarding advice from police authorities who had apparently cautioned against holding the celebrations within 24 hours of the IPL final. Poonawalla accused the state government of deflecting blame onto the police while dodging responsibility.

On June 4, 2025, Bengaluru witnessed history as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) claimed their first IPL title after an 18-year wait. The win ignited wild celebrations outside of the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, with thousands of fans and supporters coming to join in the celebrations. But the celebrations soon took a dark turn when there was a stampede near Gate 7, where 11 people were killed and dozens injured, including some teenagers.

Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar was very saddened by the event, and he condoled the bereaved families. In his Mid-Day column, Gavaskar pondered how the long wait for RCB's first championship made the emotions of fans so much more heightened. He noted how if RCB had won in previous seasons, the celebrations would not have been so rabid. "If RCB had won the trophy in the initial years, there would not have been this flood of emotion," he said, pointing towards the special emotional frenzy in this victory.

"What a tragedy," Gavaskar lamented. “All those people wanted was a glimpse of the players… maybe even a quick photo with them. Haven’t we all been fans of someone before… and wanted to see them and have a brief hello?” He was admitting that fans had assembled innocently, anticipating these moments with their heroes, but regretting how a celebration that was full of joy was full of chaos and loss. He stressed that while passion is natural, it needs to be balanced with caution to avoid such heartbreaking outcomes.

The Need for Responsible Celebrations and Better Crowd Management

Gavaskar called on organizers, officials, and supporters to reflect on this disaster and make sure that future celebrations for sport would consider safe environments first. He stressed the responsibility to implement proper crowd control measures, discipline, and planning, and to avoid the stampede risk involved in large public gatherings. Gavaskar remarked, enthusiasm can be a peril unless it is managed.

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This tragic episode serves as a powerful reminder that sporting triumphs, though joyous, must never come at the cost of human lives. As the cricketing community mourns the loss, Gavaskar’s reflections urge a shift towards safer, more structured celebrations that honor both the spirit of the game and the well-being of its fans.

Following the tragic stampede near Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, in which 11 people died and several others were injured, comes a significant development. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), in a June 3 letter to the state government, has established that the RCB match-winning celebrations had been approved beforehand. The communication to the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) points out the role of KSCA in granting permission for the felicitation function organized at the Vidhana Soudha after Royal Challengers Bengaluru's historic IPL 2025 title victory.

Though the formal function at the Vidhana Soudha was conducted without hitches, a free-for-all erupted outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium following an open invitation on social media that triggered a public congregation. The massive crowd, a lack of crowd control, and an awful stampede resulted. The public was outraged, and an FIR was filed against all the senior KSCA officials, including President Raghuram Bhat, Secretary A. Shankar, and Treasurer E.S. Jairam.

KSCA filed a Petition with the Karnataka High Court, basically saying that they were not responsible except for arranging for permissions and putting up the infrastructure. The crowd management and event planning, they claimed, were carried out by RCB and its events partner, DNA Entertainment Networks. The letter presented also emphasized that gate management and delivery were under RCB and DNA, in cooperation with local officials.

High Court Intervention and KSCA Resignations

The Karnataka High Court, on suo motu notice of the incident, has stopped the police from acting against KSCA officials until the next hearing on June 16. It also asked the state government to file a status report by June 10.

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In the face of growing questions and public outrage, KSCA Secretary A. Shankar and Treasurer E.S. Jairam resigned. While KSCA still maintains that it played no part in crowd management outside the stadium, the resignations have been interpreted as an attempt to help take the heat out of the situation while investigations continue.

In the wake of the devastating stampede at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) IPL 2025 win celebrations, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has issued a big move. The tragic incident, which left 11 dead and some others injured, occurred as thousands of people had come to celebrate RCB's first IPL title. Following public outcry and grief, the issue was addressed by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, who promised preventive measures against such incidents in the future.

Talking to News18, Saikia explained, "Whatever has happened is very unfortunate. But we don't want to play the guilty game now." He explained that the official jurisdiction of the BCCI over the IPL is till the award presentation ceremony, and after that, franchises usually arrange their own celebrations. But due to the scale of the tragedy, Saikia announced that the board will now be implementing advisories to prevent such incidents in the future.

He went on to say, "From now on we will attempt to impose at least some advisory so that such incidents do not occur." This is a significant change in BCCI's policy on post-tournament activities, reflecting the board's readiness to intervene with instructions, even when not otherwise responsible, to guarantee the safety of participants and spectators during celebration of wins. 

BCCI Acts with Safety Regulations After Stampede Disaster

The stampede, which happened in the backdrop of congestion and lack of management during RCB's jubilant event, has initiated a national debate on the necessity for enhanced safety measures at large-scale cricket tournaments. With urban areas increasingly seeing huge turnouts at such events, experts have identified the need for better coordination between franchises, local administrations, and governing boards as a pressing priority.

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BCCI's forthcoming advisories are expected to outline crowd control measures, security protocols, and logistical planning recommendations. Although the board has kept away from making a direct accusation, its move is an attempt to be proactive about not repeating such a tragic event in the future. The decision has been received by many as a good step in the direction of fan safety and the uprightness of the sport.

The horrific stampede outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4 has now resulted in major legal proceedings. Bengaluru police have arrested Nikhil Sosale, marketing and revenue head for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Diageo India. Sosale was arrested at Bengaluru airport while allegedly trying to board a flight to Mumbai. The arrest is a part of the ongoing probe into the tragic crowd crush that killed 11 people and left 64 others injured while they were celebrating RCB's IPL 2025 victory.

Besides Sosale's arrest, three employees of DNA Entertainment Networks Pvt. Ltd.—namely Kiran, Sumanth, and Sunil Mathew—have also been arrested. The organization had been in charge of hosting the victory party at the stadium. The three people were summoned to Cubbon Park Police Station for questioning, where the FIR is filed. The FIR identifies RCB, DNA Entertainment, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) as accused in the case.

At the same time, the KSCA secretary and treasurer are said to be absconding. Police visits to their homes have been uneventful. This comes after the Karnataka government has faced unprecedented backlash for the way it handled the event, where allegations of mismanagement and a lack of care have ramped up. Several senior police officers, including Bengaluru City Police Commissioner B. Dayananda, have been suspended by the state government for lapses in security.

Political Fallout and Public Outrage

The stampede has now become a political controversy, with the opposition BJP calling for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar to resign. Eyewitnesses and reports have indicated that Shivakumar went on enjoying the celebration and posing for photos with the RCB players within the stadium despite news of the stampede breaking through.

🚨 BREAKING: Nikhil Sosale, RCB Marketing head has bedd arrested at the airport. pic.twitter.com/AJzP1p6I1P

— Tata IPL 2025 Commentary (@IPL2025Auction) June 6, 2025

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Public anger has continued to build, particularly at the seeming indifference of organizers and officials. As arrests are now progressing and main characters are being tagged as accused, the spotlight is still on ensuring accountability and justice for the victims and their kin.