Karnataka government introduced the “Karnataka Crowd Control (Managing Crowd at Events and Places of Gathering) Bill” in the Assembly, seeking to impose strict penalties for unpermitted events, civil disturbances, and what it defines as a “crowd disaster.”
The legislation comes in the wake of the June 4 stampede outside Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium, which claimed 11 lives and left several others injured during a felicitation event for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) following their maiden IPL title win.
Under the bill, organisers of any event expected to attract a mass gathering must obtain prior permission from the jurisdictional authority. For crowds of fewer than 7,000 people, permission may be granted by the officer in charge of the local police station. For gatherings between 7,000 and 50,000, clearance will be given by the Deputy Superintendent of Police of the area, while events exceeding 50,000 attendees will require approval from the jurisdictional Superintendent of Police or Commissioner of Police after due checks.
The bill proposes stringent punishment stating any person who organises, attempts to organise or abets an unpermitted event will face imprisonment of not less than three years, which may extend up to seven years, or a fine of up to Rs 1 crore, or both. It also provides for penalties against those who disturb an orderly crowd by spreading rumours, making inflammatory statements, breaching peace, threatening collective violence or causing damage to property. Such acts could invite up to three years of imprisonment, a fine of Rs 50,000, or both.
In the event of a crowd disaster, accountability will be fixed with severe consequences. Those found responsible for loss of life or property could face imprisonment of three to seven years in cases of injury and between ten years and life imprisonment in cases of fatalities.
The bill further empowers police officers of the rank of sub-inspector or above to issue lawful directions to disperse gatherings, and anyone who disobeys or abets disobedience of such orders will be liable to a fine of Rs 50,000 along with mandatory community service for one month.
Once enacted, the law will make all offences under its cognisable, non-bailable and triable by a judicial magistrate of the first class.
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