Karnataka government vows SOP for events and gatherings after the stampede

In a tragic turn of events, 11 people lost their lives and 56 others were injured in a stampede near Bengaluru’s iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, during celebrations for Royal Challengers Bangalore’s IPL 2025 victory. The incident occurred when thousands of fans thronged the venue to catch a glimpse of their cricketing idols, far exceeding the stadium's capacity.

Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara, who visited the site, clarified that the state government had not instructed the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) or the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) to hold the felicitation event. “We didn’t request RCB or KCA. They organised it themselves. We only tried to facilitate it since the team belongs to Bengaluru,” he said. He expressed deep regret over the incident and confirmed that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has ordered a magisterial inquiry.

The Home Minister highlighted that over 2 to 3 lakh people gathered near the stadium, which can only accommodate 35,000. Adding to the chaos, Bengaluru Metro reported nearly 8.7 lakh footfalls until late that night, indicating the scale of the crowd that had surged into the city center.

To prevent such tragedies in the future, the government will now formulate a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for large-scale events, celebrations, and public gatherings. “This SOP will ensure events are held under proper safety protocols. Innocents shouldn’t lose their lives celebrating. Most of the victims were young people, full of life,” Parameshwara said.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also announced ₹10 lakh compensation for each deceased victim’s family and free treatment for the injured. “This should never have happened. We are deeply saddened. This is not a moment for politics, but for accountability,” the CM said during a press conference, adding that a detailed inquiry report is expected within 15 days.

The government is also reviewing all permissions and procedures followed leading up to the event. “We’ll identify lapses, if any, and act firmly. No one expected a turnout of this magnitude,” said Parameshwara.