The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) management is now under official scrutiny following a tragic stampede that occurred during the team’s IPL 2025 title celebration on June 4 at Bengaluru’s iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The fatal mishap, which left at least 11 people dead and 47 injured, has triggered a full-scale investigation involving both RCB officials and senior members of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA).
The Bengaluru Police and a magisterial inquiry panel are examining their roles in planning and executing the felicitation event. The day’s chaos was seemingly set in motion at 3:14 PM, when RCB’s official social media handle on platform X (formerly Twitter) posted details about a grand “Victory Parade” beginning at 5 PM, starting from the Vidhana Soudha and culminating at Chinnaswamy Stadium.
The announcement offered free passes through an official link and advised fans to follow police and civic guidelines. However, what was intended to be a joyous celebration quickly turned into an uncontrolled stampede. The timing and manner of the announcement are now being questioned, especially since the crowd response was overwhelming.
ALSO READ: Jitesh Sharma Set to Lead NECO Master Blaster in Vidarbha T20 League After Stellar IPL 2025
Eyewitness reports suggest that more than one lakh people gathered outside the Vidhana Soudha, while upwards of three lakh people converged at the stadium — a logistical nightmare for a stretched Bengaluru police force. The police had reportedly advised the organisers to delay the celebration by at least two days to allow for proper crowd management, advice that went unheeded.
RCB Management To Be Probed Over Social Media Post Hours Before Stampedehttps://t.co/UW4k4pHtNi pic.twitter.com/v4VhmT8GxM
— NDTV (@ndtv) June 5, 2025
Compounding the issue was the lack of coordination between two major venues — the government-led felicitation at Vidhana Soudha and the RCB event at the stadium. With senior government dignitaries, including the Chief Minister, Deputy CM, and Governor, attending the Soudha event, a large chunk of the city’s police force was deployed there, leaving the stadium under-prepared to handle the growing surge.
ALSO READ: Jamie Smith Reveals Plans to Tackle Jasprit Bumrah Threat in Upcoming Test Series
The worst congestion and crowd crush occurred at stadium entry gates 2, 2A, 6, 7, 16, 17, 18, and 21, where fans overwhelmed the limited security and staff. Amid the celebration of RCB’s long-awaited IPL triumph, the absence of coordinated planning and crowd control measures has cast a dark shadow on what should have been a historic and joyous moment for the franchise and its fans.
