A celebratory gathering outside M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on June 4, 2025 turned tragic when a massive crowd converged after Royal Challengers Bengaluru won their inaugural IPL title. Around 150,000 fans had amassed for the victory parade, and as the crowd surged near a stadium entrance, a stampede ensued, leaving 11 people dead and about 50–75 injured.
In the wake of the tragedy, Karnataka’s Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, took swift action. He suspended five senior police officers, including the Bengaluru Police Commissioner, citing serious lapses in crowd management. A judicial one‐man commission, led by retired Justice Michael D’Cunha, was formed to investigate the incident’s failures.
On June 5–6, police arrested Nikhil Sosale, the RCB’s marketing and revenue head, along with three executives from DNA Entertainment Networks—Sunil Mathew, Kiran Kumar, and one other—in connection with negligence that may have led to the stampede. Sosale was apprehended at Kempegowda International Airport during an attempted departure to Mumbai. Bangalore police and the crime branch worked together in the operation.
On June 6, the Karnataka High Court refused to grant any relief to the arrested officials, reinforcing the state’s firm stance on prosecuting those deemed responsible.
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