BENGALURU – The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) on Tuesday delivered a sharp rebuke to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for what it called a “unilateral and irresponsible” decision to announce their IPL 2025 victory parade without coordinating with the police — a move that led to the tragic stampede on June 4 at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium, claiming 11 lives and injuring over 50 people.
In a landmark order, the tribunal quashed the suspension of IPS officer Vikash Kumar Vikash, then Additional Commissioner of Police (Bengaluru West), and directed his immediate reinstatement with full back pay, calling his suspension “mechanical” and lacking any convincing evidence.
Tribunal Blames RCB for Chaos, Clears Police of Negligence
The tribunal, headed by Justice BK Shrivastava and administrative member Santosh Mehra, noted that RCB posted public invitations on Instagram between 7 am and 3:14 pm on the day of the event — without seeking police approval or following legal procedure. The result: over 300,000 fans showed up at a venue meant for only 35,000.
“RCB unilaterally and without consultation with the city police created a situation of chaos,” the tribunal said. “The police were not equipped with any ‘Aladdin ka Chirag’ to magically control the gathering.”
The tribunal further criticized event organizer DNA Entertainment and Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) for failing to secure mandatory permissions under the 2009 Licensing and Controlling of Assemblies and Public Processions Order. A last-minute letter submitted to Cubbon Park police station on June 3 — just a day before the event — was not forwarded to senior officers like Vikash, the court found.
Suspensions Called Unfair and Premature
Vikash was among five senior police officers suspended within hours of the stampede. The tribunal ruled that the state acted without due process, issuing suspensions without a show-cause notice or hearing, and even before any judicial or magisterial probe had begun.
“The order has been passed in a mechanical manner and is not based on convincing materials,” the tribunal noted.
Advocate Argues Against Knee-Jerk Reaction
Senior advocate Dhyan Chinappa, representing Vikash, argued that suspension is meant for serious misconduct or criminal negligence — neither of which was evident. He emphasized that no findings had been issued against his client at the time of suspension.
The state defended its action, citing a “policing failure”, but the tribunal disagreed, finding no substantial dereliction of duty on the part of Vikash or the Bengaluru police hierarchy.
CAT Urges Reinstatement of All Suspended Officers
The tribunal also urged the state government to extend similar relief to the remaining suspended officers, including Commissioner of Police B Dayananda, invoking the principle of equality.
“When a citizen obtains a favourable ruling, other similarly situated persons should be extended the same benefit without having to approach the court,” the bench observed.
High Court Questions Secrecy Around Status Report
Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court resumed hearings on a suo motu PIL into the stampede, raising concerns over the government’s plea to withhold its status report for 10–15 more days. Court-appointed amicus curiae S Susheela called the delay unjustified, stating the matter doesn’t involve national security.
The PIL will be heard again on July 2, with mounting public pressure for accountability and transparency in one of IPL’s darkest off-field episodes.