Top RCB Official Among 4 Arrested By Bengaluru Cops Over Deadly Stampede

By Admin

06 Jun, 2025

In a shocking turn of events following Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) historic IPL victory, tragedy struck as a deadly stampede outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium claimed 11 lives and injured more than 60 others. The celebrations, meant to be a joyous moment for fans and players alike, turned into a chaotic and heartbreaking scene   now at the center of a criminal investigation.

Arrests and Key Accused

Among those arrested is Nikhil Sosale, a top marketing official of RCB. He was detained at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport around 6:30 AM while attempting to leave for Mumbai. Sosale is known for managing RCB's promotional campaigns, acting as a liaison between the players and the franchise, and overseeing the team’s social media presence. His arrest marks a significant development in the case, as investigators hold him partly responsible for organizing the unregulated crowd-pulling event.

The Bengaluru police have also arrested three officials from DNA Entertainment Private Limited, the event management company behind the celebrations. Those in custody include Sunil Mathew, Vice President in charge of IPL events, along with Kiran and Sumanth, who are accused of mismanaging crowd control and safety arrangements.

Political and Administrative Fallout

The incident has sparked widespread outrage and political tension. On Thursday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah directed immediate arrests of individuals from RCB, DNA Entertainment, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). An FIR was registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including those for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

In a swift administrative response, Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda and several other senior officers were suspended. Senior IPS officer Seemanth Kumar Singh has taken charge as the new commissioner.

Meanwhile, two KSCA officials, Secretary Shankar and Treasurer Jayram, are reportedly absconding, with police confirming they were not found at their residences.

Public Backlash and Government Accountability

The RCB franchise is under fire for promoting the event on social media despite lacking official clearance. This unauthorized publicity is seen as a trigger for the overwhelming crowd that led to the fatal stampede.

Opposition parties, especially the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have intensified their attack on the Congress-led state government, demanding the resignations of Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar. In response, the Congress has accused the BJP of exploiting the tragedy for political mileage.

Visibly emotional, Shivakumar lamented the incident’s impact on the city's reputation, stating that “Bengaluru has lost its image.”

Victims’ Families Demand Justice

As the investigation continues, families of the deceased are demanding justice, blaming the authorities for gross negligence and lack of crowd control measures. With public sentiment growing angrier by the day, this case is likely to remain in the spotlight as the state seeks to restore accountability and order.