RCB Created Nuisance, Cops Not Magicians or Gods: Tribunal on Bengaluru Stampede

In a scathing assessment of the tragic stampede-like situation that unfolded during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) event earlier this year, the Karnataka State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) tribunal has squarely blamed the franchise and its organizers for creating a “nuisance” that spiraled out of control. The panel emphasized that law enforcement agencies cannot be expected to perform miracles when basic event protocols are ignored.

The Incident: Chaos Outside Chinnaswamy Stadium

The incident in question took place on March 19, 2024, outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, during the RCB Unbox event—a promotional fan celebration organized ahead of the IPL season. Tens of thousands of fans gathered in anticipation of seeing stars like Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, and Glenn Maxwell. However, what was meant to be a jubilant gathering soon descended into chaos. Overcrowding, mismanagement, and lack of crowd control measures led to a stampede-like situation, injuring dozens and sparking nationwide concern about public safety at large-scale events.

Tribunal’s Findings: RCB at Fault

The tribunal, after conducting hearings and reviewing police reports, witness accounts, and video footage, concluded that the RCB franchise and its event managers bore the brunt of the responsibility. “This was an avoidable tragedy,” the panel stated. “RCB and their event partners created a nuisance without adhering to safety norms and crowd management protocols.”

They further noted that the event had no proper barricading, inadequate signage, insufficient deployment of marshals, and poor emergency planning—despite being a high-profile public event attracting tens of thousands.

“Police Are Not Magicians or Gods”

While there was initial criticism directed at the Bengaluru police for being unprepared, the tribunal strongly defended the law enforcement agencies, saying, “The police are not magicians or gods. They cannot instantly control a crowd that has swelled to dangerous proportions because of poor planning by private organizers.”

The panel added that the police were not given proper intimation about the scale of the event or expected footfall. “A clear underestimation of public turnout, coupled with unrestricted entry points and lack of crowd control coordination, led to a dangerous situation.”

Questions Over Permissions and Protocols

The tribunal also raised questions about how such a large event was greenlit without stringent checks from municipal authorities and the Bengaluru Police. “It is shocking that permissions were granted without enforcing basic guidelines. Going forward, all high-footfall events must be subject to stricter protocols,” the report stated.

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Public and Political Reaction

The tribunal’s findings have triggered sharp reactions from the public and civic activists. Many questioned why a professional franchise like RCB, with vast resources, failed to prioritize fan safety. On social media, hashtags like #RCBNuisance and #StampedeJustice trended for days, with users calling for accountability and reforms.

Opposition political leaders, too, have seized upon the tribunal’s report to call for stricter oversight on IPL-related events. Some have even demanded fines or suspension of RCB-hosted events until detailed safety reforms are implemented.

RCB Responds

In a statement following the tribunal’s report, an RCB spokesperson expressed regret over the incident and stated that the franchise “is committed to ensuring fan safety and will work closely with authorities to prevent such mishaps in the future.” They also assured that future events will strictly follow crowd control measures and involve law enforcement from the planning stage.

However, critics argue that such assurances are too little, too late.

Tribunal Recommendations

To prevent similar incidents in the future, the KSHRC tribunal has proposed:

  • Mandatory crowd assessment reports before granting event permissions

  • Deployment of trained marshals and emergency response teams

  • Real-time crowd monitoring using drones and surveillance

  • Holding event organizers financially and legally accountable for violations

  • Revoking permissions if minimum safety standards aren’t met

Conclusion

The Bengaluru stampede incident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of neglecting public safety in mass gatherings. While the IPL brings celebration and unity, it also demands responsibility from franchises like RCB to treat fans’ lives and well-being with utmost seriousness. As the tribunal rightly put it, “Public enthusiasm cannot be taken for granted, and the police cannot be expected to clean up after preventable messes.”

RCB may be a beloved franchise, but in the eyes of the law and public safety, stardom cannot excuse chaos.