Report on stampede lays blame on RCB doors

The Karnataka government in its status report submitted to the high court regarding June 4 Bengaluru Chinnaswamy stadium stampede tragedy that claimed 11 lives and injured 50 others in the city has stated that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) unilaterally invited people to IPL victory celebrations on social media platforms without consulting the police.

- BELLIE THOMAS

The high court had given an order with regard to providing the status report by the state government over the stampede tragedy to respondents the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), RCB and the DNA event management firm by setting aside the state's request to keep the report confidential in a sealed cover.

The status report claimed that the RCB invited people for victory celebration event at the Chinnaswamy Stadium unilaterally and also without consultation and required permissions with the police department. The communications to the authorities by the stakeholders were only intimations, the status reported mentioned.

The state further stated the RCB approached the Bengaluru police only on June 3 and informed them about organizing victory parade that too before the toss of the IPL cricket match held between RCB and Punjab's Kings Eleven.

The information was given as an intimation to the police in case of RCB wins rather than requesting the permission with the due procedures.