Virat Kohli RCB Stampede: Govt Blames Franchise, BJP Slams Congress for Dodging Responsibility
The Virat Kohli RCB stampede controversy has erupted into a full-blown political blame game after the Karnataka government submitted a status report to the High Court blaming Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and its promotional team for the tragic stampede outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4 that left 11 people dead and more than 50 injured.
According to the state government’s report, RCB and DNA Networks, the franchise’s event management partner, failed to follow required legal and safety protocols despite police denial of permission for the victory parade. The report even referenced a video posted by Virat Kohli inviting fans to join the celebrations—igniting outrage across political lines.
The core of the controversy lies in RCB’s decision to promote the event despite police objections. On June 4, hours before the IPL final in Ahmedabad, RCB posted a video featuring Virat Kohli inviting fans to a free-entry victory celebration at the stadium.
“The team intended to celebrate this victory with the people of Bengaluru city and RCB fans,” the video said, posted at 8:55 AM on RCB’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle.
By the time the video and social media posts went live, a massive crowd of nearly 3 lakh people had already started gathering near the stadium. Virat Kohli RCB Stampede
The posts attracted millions of views — some touching 17 lakh impressions — and created a snowball effect that overwhelmed the local authorities. The crowd had started arriving on foot, by buses, and in private vehicles, all without adequate crowd control in place. Virat Kohli RCB Stampede
Government Report: No Permission Sought, Just Intimation
In its report to the High Court, the Karnataka government clarified that RCB had not formally requested permission for the event. Instead, the team merely issued a “letter of intimation”, which does not satisfy the legal requirements under the Licensing and Controlling of Assemblies and Processions (Bangalore City) Order, 2009. Virat Kohli RCB Stampede
“It was an intimation, not a requisition for permission as required under the law,” said the status report.
The Cubbon Park Police had denied permission due to the absence of critical details such as:
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Estimated crowd size
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Crowd control strategies
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Emergency measures
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Traffic and public transport management plans
Yet, RCB proceeded with promoting the event, resulting in one of the worst crowd tragedies in Bengaluru’s sports history. Virat Kohli RCB Stampede
BJP’s Aravind Bellad: “Govt Took Credit, Now Dodging Blame”
BJP MLA Aravind Bellad, deputy leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, strongly countered the government’s claims. He accused the ruling Congress party of trying to take credit for RCB’s maiden IPL title but shifting blame once the tragedy struck.
“It’s not only RCB that invited people. A huge number came due to invitations by the Congress, DK Shivakumar, and government officials,” Bellad said.
He added that the DPAR Secretary appeared on TV urging fans to attend, and claimed the government was equally — if not more — responsible for the chaos. Virat Kohli RCB Stampede
“To now put the blame on a great player like Virat Kohli or RCB is wrong,” he added.
Suspensions and Aftermath: Government Actions Questioned
On June 5, the day after the stampede, the government suspended key police officials from the Cubbon Park station. It also formed a one-man commission under a retired High Court judge to investigate the matter.
However, the BJP questioned the inconsistency in the government’s actions. Virat Kohli RCB Stampede
“If the report says RCB is solely responsible, why suspend police officers? The Chief Minister should apologise to the former police commissioner,” said Bellad.
Why the Event Wasn’t Cancelled: Govt Justifies
One of the key questions raised was why the victory parade was not cancelled once it became clear the crowd was unmanageable. Virat Kohli RCB Stampede
The government’s report explained that a complete cancellation could have sparked violence due to emotional and physical strain on the crowd already gathered. Virat Kohli RCB Stampede
“A measured approach was adopted by curtailing the duration of the function and increasing monitoring,” said the report.
This reasoning has met with mixed reactions. While some experts agree that abrupt cancellation could have worsened the situation, others believe better preparation or timely intervention could have saved lives.
Report Blames Franchise, DNA Networks, KSCA
The report concluded by holding RCB, DNA Networks, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) responsible for: Virat Kohli RCB Stampede
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Failing to follow crowd safety protocols
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Promoting an event without police permission
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Ignoring standard procedures for public gatherings
It emphasized that the tragic stampede was preventable had the required permissions and logistical arrangements been in place. Virat Kohli RCB Stampede
Conclusion: Kohli and RCB in Crossfire as Politics Heats Up
The Virat Kohli RCB stampede case has gone beyond a tragic event — it has become a flashpoint in Karnataka’s political battlefield. While Kohli’s video may have been intended to celebrate a long-awaited victory, it has inadvertently become part of a legal and political storm. Virat Kohli RCB Stampede
The Karnataka High Court is now examining the government’s findings, and the one-man commission’s report will likely determine whether criminal negligence charges are warranted.
As the BJP and Congress trade accusations, the victims’ families and the public are left waiting for accountability and reforms to ensure that such a tragedy never repeats — no matter how historic a cricketing win may be. Virat Kohli RCB Stampede
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