Bengaluru: Four individuals arrested in connection with the deadly stampede outside Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium, which claimed 11 lives, have been sent to 14-day judicial custody, as per an order from the 14th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) court, media reported.
Among the arrested is Nikhil Sosale, the Marketing and Revenue Head of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Sosale, who was arrested earlier this week, has now moved the Karnataka High Court challenging the legality of his arrest. He termed the police action “illegal, arbitrary, and not in accordance with law.”
Interim Protection for KSCA Officials
Meanwhile, Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) President Raghu Ram Bhat, Secretary A Shankar, Treasurer ES Jairam, and other KSCA office bearers also approached the High Court on Friday seeking to quash the FIR filed against them in the case. The court subsequently granted interim protection from arrest to the KSCA officials.
Background: Tragedy at RCB Victory Celebration
The stampede occurred on Wednesday evening (June 4) when thousands of fans gathered outside the stadium to attend RCB’s IPL victory celebration. The unanticipated crowd surge resulted in 11 deaths and 56 injuries.
A case was registered at the Cubbon Park Police Station, with authorities invoking several serious sections under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The Karnataka government also appointed Justice John Michael D’Cunha, a retired High Court judge, to conduct a judicial inquiry into the tragedy.
High Court’s Suo Motu Action
Taking suo motu cognisance of the tragedy, the Karnataka High Court has directed the state to submit a status report on the incident. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for June 10.