Bengaluru Stampede: RCB points out CM public invite in plea to withdraw FIR

this public call by the Chief Minister mirrors RCB’s own social media invitation, yet only private organisers have been targeted. Read further on Dynamite News:

Bengaluru: A public tweet by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah inviting "all citizens" to join the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) IPL victory celebrations has come under sharp scrutiny, with Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited (RCSPL) citing it in a petition before the Karnataka High Court to quash an FIR registered against them in connection with the Bengaluru stampede.

X Post

The X post, which forms a key part of RCSPL's defence, is being portrayed as a direct endorsement by the state's highest authority for mass participation in the event that ended in tragedy. The petition argues that this public call by the Chief Minister mirrors RCB's own social media invitation, yet only private organisers have been targeted in the criminal case.

RCSPL and its COO Rajesh V Menon, on Monday, contended in court that they made the announcement for the victory parade and trophy celebration only after extensive discussions with DNA Networks, Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), and the police, followed by oral approval. The post, shared on June 4 across RCB's official handles, made it clear that entry was strictly through prior registration and valid passes based on stadium capacity.

Plea Further Reveals

The plea further reveals that on the morning of 4 June, RCB was abruptly informed that police had withdrawn permission for the victory parade. At the same time, the team was told that the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister would be felicitating the players at the Vidhana Soudha, and the team could proceed to the stadium for celebrations thereafter.

According to the plea, the felicitation at the Vidhana Soudha was not only attended by the RCB team but was also thrown open to the general public at the Chief Minister's own invitation, now reproduced in court as a crucial piece of evidence.

The RCSPL petition asserts that following the Vidhana Soudha event, the team reached the stadium, where celebrations were abruptly called off after the management was informed about fatalities due to a stampede outside the venue.

The company has called the FIR against it "illegal," "contrary to law," and "an abuse of process," stressing the absence of any mens rea (criminal intent) or criminal act on its part. "The very same act of inviting the public to a celebration was committed by the Chief Minister," the plea states, arguing that scapegoating RCB while sparing state functionaries smacks of bias.

The petition accuses the government of attempting to shift blame to private entities like RCSPL, especially in the wake of the Chief Minister's own public directive to "immediately arrest" RCB officials. even as an official inquiry into the incident and suspensions of police personnel for dereliction of duty were ongoing.

RCSPL Highlights

RCSPL also highlights that the entire event was outsourced to DNA Networks, yet RCB has still been named as an accused.

The company is seeking quashing of the FIR and an interim stay on further proceedings. Meanwhile, the High Court has already granted interim protection to officials of the Karnataka State Cricket Association. Nikhil Sosale, RCB’s Marketing and Revenue Head, has also moved court challenging his arrest in the case.

The case is fast snowballing into a legal and political flashpoint, with mounting pressure on the Chief Minister to explain his role in endorsing the event that ended in tragedy.