A formal complaint has been filed against Indian cricketer Virat Kohli in connection with the fatal stampede outside Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium that claimed 11 lives during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) IPL victory celebrations.
The complaint, lodged by HM Venkatesh, a resident of Karnataka’s Shivamogga district, was submitted at the Cubbon Park police station, located near the stadium. Kohli, a key player for RCB, is accused of negligence linked to the crowd disaster that injured over 50 individuals in addition to the fatalities.
Police have clarified that the complaint will be taken into account as part of the ongoing investigation under an existing First Information Report. “It will be verified during the course of the investigation,” said a senior officer at Cubbon Park police station.
The tragedy unfolded on Wednesday when a special felicitation ceremony was organised by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) to honour RCB for their maiden IPL title win after 18 years. As crowds surged around the stadium, a temporary slab covering a drain reportedly collapsed under the weight of those gathered, triggering panic and a deadly stampede.
Also read: RCB marketing head, event officials arrested over B'luru stampede
Victims of the incident were largely young fans, aged between 13 and 35. The chaotic scenes led to a wide-ranging backlash and the suspension of Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda. Seemanth Kumar Singh has since been appointed to the post.
According to officials, Bengaluru Police had initially advised the Karnataka government to delay the felicitation until Sunday due to logistical concerns. However, the government proceeded the very next day after RCB’s win. It is also alleged that RCB announced their victory parade on social media without consulting law enforcement, which prompted a viral surge in crowd interest. Later efforts to seek police permission were reportedly denied.
The police have since filed three FIRs, implicating the RCB management, KSCA and the event organiser, DNA Entertainment Private Limited, for failing to manage the crowd and for inadequate planning.
In a significant development, the RCB marketing head, Nikhil Sosale, was arrested at Bengaluru airport as he was reportedly preparing to fly to Mumbai. Sosale, who heads marketing and revenue for RCB at Diageo India, has challenged the arrest, calling it “illegal” in a petition before the Karnataka High Court.
Three other staff members from DNA Entertainment have also been detained as investigations continue into the lapses that led to the tragedy.
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