RCB Stampede Fallout: Team’s Marketing Head Nikhil Sosale, DNA Network Staff Detained; CM Orders Police Chief’s Suspension

Bengaluru: In a major development following the tragic stampede outside Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, the city police have detained Nikhil Sosale, the Head of Marketing and Revenue for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Diageo India. Sosale was intercepted at the Bengaluru airport while attempting to board a flight to Mumbai, according to a report by India Today.

The stampede, which occurred during RCB’s IPL victory celebration, resulted in multiple casualties and injuries as thousands of fans gathered outside the stadium in an overcrowded setting with little crowd control.

In addition to Sosale, police have also taken into custody three employees of DNA Entertainment Networks Pvt. Ltd., the event management firm responsible for organizing the RCB celebration. Authorities believe negligence in planning and crowd management contributed significantly to the chaos.

This action follows Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s strong directive to arrest key representatives of RCB, DNA Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). The directive came soon after the filing of an FIR under multiple sections, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Reacting to the widespread criticism and alleged administrative lapses, Siddaramaiah also ordered the suspension of Bengaluru Police Commissioner B. Dayananda, along with several other senior police officials who were reportedly responsible for managing security arrangements for the event.