The stampede killed 11 individuals on June 5.
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SUDHAKARA JAIN
The Karnataka Excessive Court docket on Monday mentioned it was “too untimely” to conclude whether or not the June 4 Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede, which killed 11 individuals, was triggered solely by a tweet from Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), or different elements.
“This investigation will determine, among the many three accused, who’s accountable,” Justice SR Krishna Kumar noticed.
“Assuming, after investigation, it says that the tweet didn’t have any influence in any respect… at present we’re not able to say whether or not the duty lies extra with the tweet or the federal government. It’s untimely. They’re solely asking for cover.”
This comes because the Court docket heard a plea by Royal Challengers Sports activities Ltd (RCSL), which owns RCB, to quash the legal case filed in opposition to it. The courtroom additionally heard a separate petition by RCB advertising head Nikhil Sosale, who was arrested at Bengaluru airport in reference to the stampede.
‘Political strain’
In the meantime, Senior Advocate Sandesh Chouta, representing Nikhil Sosale, questioned the legality and motivation behind his shopper’s arrest. He raised considerations over whether or not the arrest adopted due authorized process or was influenced by political strain, allegedly on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s route.
Chouta argued that the primary problem to be examined was whether or not the Chief Minister had explicitly ordered the arrest. The second, he mentioned, was whether or not the arresting officers, significantly from the Central Crime Department (CCB), had the authority to behave. “The arrest was made by CCB, not the common police,” he advised the courtroom, as reported by Bar and Bench.
He additionally elaborated on the procedural lapses, noting that Sosale was arrested at 4:30 a.m. on June 6 with out correct identification or disclosure of causes by the arresting officers, with official paperwork solely handed over at 8:20 a.m. Chouta maintained that there was no legal intent behind the occasions, stating that the target was merely to have fun RCB’s victory on June 4, with a peaceable felicitation held on the Vidhan Soudha and a stadium celebration later cancelled because of a stampede. He claimed the arrest was not a results of an investigation, howeverdue to sure instructions, allegedly from the CM.
Buying and selling blames
The matter was adjourned to Monday, with the choose noting: “Heard arguments by petitioner on interim aid. Relist on prime of listing tomorrow for reply by State.” The Court docket has ordered the State to not arrest any extra officers of RCB or occasion supervisor, DNA till it hears their petitions subsequent on June 12.
In the meantime, the political fallout continues. CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar are anticipated in Delhi on June 12, after being summoned by the Congress excessive command. “Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will journey to Delhi tomorrow. He’ll meet occasion management and transient them on the newest developments,” mentioned an official assertion from the CM’s Workplace.
On Sunday, Siddaramaiah distanced himself and his occasion from the tragedy, blaming suspended officers, together with former Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda. He mentioned he was solely knowledgeable concerning the stampede at 5:45 pm on the day of the incident.
Revealed on June 9, 2025
