Bengaluru – The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) management is facing an official investigation following a tragic stampede at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium that killed at least 11 people and left 47 injured during the team’s victory parade on June 4. The probe, announced by Bengaluru Police and a magisterial inquiry panel, will also examine the role of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) in organising the dual-venue celebration.
What began as a jubilant celebration for RCB’s maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title quickly turned into a nightmare. Crowds surged into the Chinnaswamy Stadium and gathered outside the Vidhana Soudha, where simultaneous events were held — one with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the Deputy CM, and the Governor, and another inside the stadium — leading to a deadly stampede in Bengaluru.
At 3:14 pm, just under two hours before the chaos unfolded, RCB’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle announced a “Victory Parade” beginning at 5 pm, from Vidhana Soudha to the Chinnaswamy Stadium, followed by a celebration open to fans via free passes on the team’s website. The post included a request for attendees to follow police guidelines.
“Victory Parade will be followed by celebrations at the Chinnaswamy stadium. We request all fans to follow guidelines… Free passes (limited entry) available on shop.royalchallengers.com,” the post read.
However, the last-minute announcement contradicted the Karnataka government’s claim that the event was “planned spontaneously.” Bengaluru Police sources now reveal they had advised RCB and KSCA to delay celebrations by at least two days to ensure better planning and crowd control — advice that appears to have been ignored.
More than one lakh people gathered near the Vidhana Soudha while stadium estimates suggest over three lakh fans surged toward the Chinnaswamy gates — especially gates 2, 2A, 6, 7, 16, 17, 18, and 21. The crowd pressure at these points caused police cordons to collapse, and overwhelmed stadium security staff failed to regulate the inflow.
This tragic stampede at Chinnaswamy Stadium has now led to a broader debate over crowd management, the responsibility of sports franchises, and the need for regulatory oversight during public events. The city was also managing peak-hour Bangalore Metro traffic and general weekday congestion, adding further strain.
The RCB celebration in Bangalore, which was meant to be a moment of pride after an 18-year IPL wait, has instead cast a shadow over the team’s triumph. The incident has sparked public outrage, with hashtags like #RCBStampede, #StampedeInBangalore, and #RCBParadeDeath trending across social media platforms.
Officials say the RCB celebration stampede could have been avoided with better communication and staggered scheduling. “It’s not just about celebration, it’s about accountability,” said a senior officer from Bengaluru Police, who confirmed the inquiry would look at the social media post’s timing, failure of crowd protocols, and lack of coordination between the KSCA, RCB, and the government.
As the Chinnaswamy stampede probe continues, the spotlight remains on how a city known for hosting global events could falter so gravely — and whether such tragedies can be prevented in the future with more responsible planning.
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