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Bengaluru: CAT Blames RCB for Deadly IPL Celebration Stampede, Clears Suspended IPS Officer Vikash Kumar

Bengaluru: In a significant ruling on Tuesday, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) held the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) cricket team responsible for the massive crowd surge during their IPL victory celebrations on June 4, which tragically ended in a stampede claiming 11 lives and injuring dozens.

The tribunal observed that RCB had failed to obtain the necessary permissions or coordinate with police authorities before announcing the event on social media, which drew nearly three to five lakh people near M Chinnaswamy Stadium. “Suddenly, they posted on social media platforms and as a result of aforesaid information the public were gathered,” the CAT stated in its remarks.

Defending the police, the tribunal said law enforcement cannot be expected to perform miracles, remarking, “They are also human beings and neither ‘God’ (Bhagwan) nor magician having the magic powers like ‘Alladdin ka Chirag’ which was able to fulfil any wish only by rubbing a finger.”

Meanwhile, in a relief to senior IPS officer Vikash Kumar, the tribunal quashed the Karnataka government’s June 5 suspension order against him. Vikash had been suspended along with several senior officers following the chaos during the celebrations.

A bench led by Justice B K Shrivastava and administrative member Santhosh Mehra found merit in Vikash’s appeal, stating he was entitled to all service benefits, and noted that similar findings could apply to other suspended officers, including then Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda and DCP Shekhar H Tekkannavar.

Senior advocate Dhyan Chinappa, appearing for Vikash Kumar, confirmed the tribunal’s decision and said it paves the way for his full reinstatement.

The tragic stampede, which unfolded outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, sparked outrage across Karnataka, leading the state government to suspend several top police officials under the All India Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1969.

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