K Govindaraj removed as CM's aide amid public anger over Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has removed his political secretary, K Govindaraj, following massive public outrage over the stampede at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium that claimed 11 lives on June 4. The decision was announced through an official notification, stating that the removal is effective immediately.

The move comes after heavy criticism of the administration’s handling of the crowd at the stadium during a public event. Apart from Govindaraj’s removal, several high-ranking police officials, including Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda, were suspended. Senior IPS officer Seemant Kumar Singh has now taken charge as the new police commissioner.

CM Siddaramaiah, while defending the suspensions, said that those who failed in their duties have been held accountable. He further accused the opposition BJP and JD(S) of politicising the tragedy for electoral gains.

The stampede at the stadium occurred when thousands of people surged through narrow entry gates, leading to chaos and suffocation. The incident has sparked widespread calls for structural reform and accountability within the state's administration and law enforcement.