Karnataka High Court on Thursday directed the state government to file a status report on the stampede outside the cricket stadium here that led to 11 deaths and injuries to over 50 people.
The court, after taking suo motu congnisance of the matter, issued notice to the state, and tasked it to file a detailed status report by June 10. A division bench headed by Acting Chief Justice V Kameshwar Rao and Justice CM Joshi directed the court registry to treat the matter as a suo motu public interest litigation petition.
The state government told the High Court that over 1,000 police personnel — including the City Police Commissioner, Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs), and Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) — were deployed at the stadium on June 4 when a deadly stampede took place.
Additionally, Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner G Jagadeesha, who is heading the magisterial probe into the stampede near Chinnaswamy stadium, said today that notices will be also be issued to Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Police Commissioner B Dayananda to join the inquiry.
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He inspected the Chinnaswamy stadium where the stampede broke out on Wednesday, claiming the lives of 11 people and injuring over 50 people.
"Today I visited the KSCA (Karnataka State Cricket Association) stadium. I have seen all the events here. I will issue notice to some people for inquiry. I will conduct an inquiry and finish within 15 days. I will issue notice to KSCA, RCB management, event manager and Police Commissioner. I will ask people to give their evidence," he told reporters here.
Responding to a question on who was responsible for this tragedy, he said, "I am starting inquiry now. I will not conclude it now." When asked if any permission was taken for the celebration event on Wednesday, the Deputy Commissioner clarified that he is not competent authority to give permission and said permission needs to be taken from the police commissioner. "I have to inquire and give a report to the government," he added.
In the stampede during the IPL victory celebration of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on June 4, 11 people died and over 50 others were injured. Meanwhile, the incident has triggered political blame game, with opposition leaders blaming the Congress-led state government for complete mismanagement. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the tragedy as 'heartrending'.
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