RCB, event firm execs held as K'taka shunts out CM's aide to quell anger

Four executives, one from Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and three from an event management firm, were arrested and chief minister Siddaramaiah's political secretary was ousted on Friday as the Karnataka government moved to fend off criticism over the deaths of 11 fans during celebrations otic for RCB's Indian Premier League (IPL) title victory earlier this week.

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The police arrested Nikhil Sosale, in charge of RCB's marketing and revenue - who moved the Karnataka high court against the action-and DNA Entertainment Private Limited executives Sunil Mathew, Kiran Kumar and Sumanth R. Police had booked RCB, DNA and as well as the state cricket body for culpable homicide, unlawful assembly and assault on Thursday.

Another first information report (FIR) was filed against the three organisations following a complaint by Rohan Gomes, 25, who survived the chaos, which also injured 56.

However, the high court restrained state police from taking coercive action against top officials of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA).

As the political backlash grew, the Congress government removed chief minister Siddaramaiah's political secretary K Govindaraj and also transferred additional director general of police (ADGP), intelligence, Hemant Nimbalkar on Friday.

The government did not reveal the reasons for their removal.

However, people aware of the matter said Govindaraj was removed followed criticism of his reported involvement in the event. Govindaraj denied any involvement ahead of his removal.

The Opposition BJP and the JD(S) jointly lashed out at the Congress government, saying police officers were being made the "scapegoats" for the tragedy and alleging that the entire responsibility for the incident lies with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar.