Communication blunders by the RCB officials and PR team, along with the gross incompetence of the state administration, led to the Bengaluru stampede case that resulted in the loss of innocent fans lives who had gathered to celebrate RCB’s win. Many RCB officials have been arrested as part of the investigation.

In Short

• Stampede during RCB’s IPL win celebration killed 11, injuring over 50 fans.
• Police filed cases against RCB, the Karnataka cricket body, and the event organisers.

Bengaluru stampede case

RCB’s triumph in the finals over Punjab Kings led to wild celebrations among fans both in the stadium and outside. The win was celebrated like a festival in Bengaluru and in the rest of the state.

The Chinnaswamy stadium was hosting a felicitation function to honour the RCB team, which triggered crowds 2 to 3 times more than the stadium’s capacity.

The cricket crazy fans came in large numbers in and around RCB’s home ground, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, which became an impossible task for the local administration to manage, which led to the horrific stampede which left 11 dead and more than 50 injured.

Fans who were outside the stadium were desperate to enter the stadium to watch the RCB stars, but the stadium was already overcrowded.

This led to fans pushing and pulling, leading to the stampede.

Asphyxia was the primary cause of death, and the overcrowded place also led to injuries to men, women, and even children.

Bengaluru stampede case – How could such a disaster be allowed to happen?

Are the celebrations of winning a cricket tournament more valuable than human life?

Lakhs of RCB fans gathered in the Central Business District of M.G. Road, Brigade Road, Cubbon Road, Queens Road and KSCA Clubhouse Link Road. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah admitted that the crowd was beyond expectations.

The reasoning of the Chief minister to cover the incompetence of the administration for an avoidable tragedy, is unacceptable and inexcusable.

Seeing the crowd, the authorities should have taken stricter protocols.

RCB’s Blunder that led to the Bengaluru stampede

According to the FIR, the RCB franchise announced the felicitation function on social media, inviting people to the event despite having no permission from any competent authority.

According to media and news articles, RCB announced an open-bus parade without taking proper clearance. While the police denied permission, crowd still swelled in the area.

Rumors about the gates being open to the public and later a message of ‘entry by invitation only’ confused the whole crowd who gathered in and around the stadium, where the Chief Minister (CM) felicitated the players.

Fans tried to force their way in. The crowd was too large for the thin security arrangements made by Karnataka State Cricket Association’s (KSCA) and the police.

Why were the celebrations not halted when the Bengaluru Stampede tragedy was taking place?

As per reports, the news of the tragic deaths would have reached the ears of the authorities inside the stadium, but in their greed to celebrate their first IPL win, RCB management and others present chose to continue with the function.

Actions taken – Too little too late

While the State government has suspended many and ordered a judicial inquiry, it is too little, too late. Currently, everyone is indulging in finger-pointing and trying to brush away their role in the entire episode.

Four people have been arrested in connection with the Bengaluru stampede.

According to the police, Nikhil Sosale, a top marketing official of the RCB, who handles all promotional activities of the RCB and is the main link between the players and the franchise was among those arrested. He also handles the team’s social media handles.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah ordered the arrest of the event management company DNA Entertainment Private Limited – Sunil Mathew (Vice President, handles IPL events for DNA), Kiran and Sumanth.

A Bengaluru sessions court on Friday remanded four individuals, including Nikhil Sosale to 14 days of judicial custody.

Two officials of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) – secretary Shankar and treasurer Jayram – are believed to be absconding.

The CM has also suspended Bengaluru police commissioner B Dayananda and several other senior police officials in connection with the incident.

Earlier in the day, the Karnataka High Court granted interim relief to the office bearers of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), who had approached the court seeking the quashing of the FIR registered against them in connection with the stampede.

Compensations and Medical Assistance

The government has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the victims who died, and free medical facilities are being provided for the injured.

RCB also announced financial assistance of Rs 10 lakhs for the victims who lost their lives in the stampede.

But will RCB truly understand the blunder they have committed?

Also Read our previous article : EE Saala Cup Namdu

Our Website : http://www.supersports360.com