Follow UsThe Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), which was formed to investigate the Bengaluru Stampede on June 4 where 11 people lost their lives, has held Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) responsible.
The Tribunal, which was hearing a petition by Additional Commissioner of Police (ACP) Vikash Kumar, said that “prima facie” it seems like that the posts made by RCB social media team were responsible for the gathering of three to five lakh people at the Chinnaswamy, for which the RCB management hadn’t taken any permission.
“Prima facie, it appears that the RCB is responsible for the gathering of about three to five lakh people,” the CAT order read.
“The RCB did not take the appropriate permission or consent from the Police. Suddenly, they posted on social media platforms and as a result of aforesaid information the public were gathered.”
The Tribunal also mentioned in its order that the suspension of ACP Vikash Kumar will be revoked as it was impossible for the city police to manage a gathering of that many people in such a short period of time.
Bengaluru’s Commissioner B Dayananda and Deputy Commissioner Shekar H Tekkannavar were also suspended after being held responsible for the mismanagement. The CAT order has requested the Karnataka government to reconsider their suspensions as well.
“Because of a shortage of time, the police were unable to make the appropriate arrangements. It cannot be expected from the police that within a short time of about 12 hours, the police will make all the required arrangements," the order read.
“Police personnel are also human beings. They are neither 'God' nor magicians. They do not have the magic powers like 'Alladin ka Chirag' (Alladin's lamp) that they can fulfill any wish by rubbing a finger.
“But neither the information was given to the Police for making the arrangements nor the permission was applied or granted by the Police. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) submitted a letter which also did not contain any request for granting the permission or for making the arrangements. The letter shows only the information regarding the intention.
“Therefore, it was not expected from the Police that upon the basis of letter submitted before the Station In-charge of one Police Station, the Police will make all arrangements all of a sudden.”
Notably, two KSCA officers, Secretary A Shankar and Treasurer ES Jairam, had stepped down from their positions, holding themselves morally responsible for the Stampede.