The Cubbon Park Police on Thursday registered an FIR against Indian Premier League franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru, DNA Entertainment Pvt Ltd, an event management company, and Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), charging them for culpable homicide among other serious indictments.
Based on the complaint filed by Girish A. K., Police Inspector of Cubbon Park station, the police charged the accused under Sections 105 (culpable homicide), 115 (voluntary causing hurt), 118 (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous means), 190 (liability of members of an unlawful assembly for offenses), 132 (crime of assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from performing their duty) ad 125 (endangering human life or personal safety due to recklessness or negligence).
According to the complaint, the police had on Tuesday night made elaborate security arrangements in and around the stadium, where thousands of fans gathered for the victory parade of RCB, which had won its first title after 18 years.
On Tuesday at around 6 pm, KSCA chief executive officer Shubendu Ghosh had submitted a requisition to the police to organise a victory celebration on Wednesday, which was denied considering security reasons and traffic issues.
However, the management announced the programme on social media, inviting people to the event. Taking cognisance of this, an emergency meeting was arranged to discuss the security measures and traffic arrangements and additional force was roped in for security.
The complaint said necessary security had also been arranged at the Vidhana Soudha for the felicitation programme. Measures were also taken to safely get the cricket team from the HAL airport to Taj West End and then from the hotel to the Vidhana Soudha premises.
Meanwhile, as lakhs of people gathered, the organisers were left confused regarding how to allow entry to so many people into the M. Chinnaswamy stadium which has a seating capacity of only around 35,000.
Due to this, more gates were opened to allow the crowd which led to stampede and commotion.
As many as 11 people died and 64 people were left injured, which included a few police personnel, the FIR said. The police had to struggle hard to bring the unruly mob under control to prevent further untoward incidents, they claimed.
Earlier, the Karnataka High Court, after deciding to register a suo motu case, sought a status report on the matter from the State. The case will be heard next on June 10.