Karnataka government has exonerated three IPS officers, including a commissioner of police, of all charges related to the 2025 stampede at a stadium in Bengaluru during an IPL match that claimed 11 lives. In an official order, the government announced the closure of the departmental inquiry against the three officers, stating that no further action would be pursued.
“After examining the statements of defence of the charged officers and the opinion rendered by the Administrative Department, the competent authority has decided to drop the departmental enquiry against all three officers,” the order read.
The inquiry was initiated against former Bengaluru Police Commissioner Dayanand, former Additional Police Commissioner (West) and Inspector General of Police Vikas Kumar, and Central Division DCP Shekhar H. Thakkannavar following the tragic incident on June 4, 2025.
The stampede occurred during celebrations marking RCB’s IPL victory, sparking nationwide outrage and raising serious concerns over crowd management and public safety measures. In response, the state government had ordered disciplinary proceedings under the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules.
Initially, the officers were suspended, but the suspension orders were revoked on July 28, 2025, allowing the departmental inquiry to continue. Subsequently, a show-cause notice and chargesheet were served to Dayanand on July 31, 2025. He submitted his written defence on September 8, denying all allegations and seeking to be cleared.
After reviewing the officers’ responses and consulting the relevant administrative department, the competent authority concluded that the inquiry should be dropped. The order directed that the departmental proceedings be formally closed with effect from July 14. The decision brings an official end to the disciplinary process in one of the most high-profile crowd disaster cases in recent years.
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