Virat Kohli’s video proof of the Bengaluru stampede has taken center stage in a growing controversy. The Karnataka government, in a report to the High Court, directly blamed Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and their event partner, DNA Entertainment, for the tragic crowd crush that killed 11 people and injured more than 50 outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4.
To kick things off, on June 3, DNA Entertainment simply notified the Cubbon Park Police about a victory parade, but they didn’t submit a formal request. As a result, the police denied permission, citing a lack of crowd estimates, traffic management plans, and overall preparedness.
Nevertheless, RCB proceeded with the celebrations. On the morning of June 4, at 8:55 AM, they shared a video featuring Virat Kohli. In the clip, Kohli talked about celebrating this victory with the fans. Subsequently, the video went viral and drew a crowd of over 3 lakh people, far beyond the area’s capacity.
However, things took a serious turn when organizers released a new update at 3:14 PM the same day. They announced that entry would now require a limited number of passes. This sudden shift led to mass confusion among fans, many of whom were already gathered outside the stadium.
Consequently, large sections of the crowd rushed toward entry gates, especially gates 1, 2, and 21. The police, unable to manage the unexpected surge, resorted to lathi charges. Unfortunately, this only escalated the panic, resulting in a deadly stampede.
The Karnataka government report directly calls out RCB, DNA Entertainment, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) for their irresponsible actions. These organizations failed to coordinate with the police and misled fans by promoting the event as open to all, especially through a video featuring Virat Kohli, which they posted even though the event did not have proper approval.
Moreover, the report stated that organizers made no effort to revise or retract the video after permissions were denied. This, the government claimed, directly contributed to the chaos and loss of life.
Following the incident, the government filed an FIR against RCB, DNA, KSCA, and stadium officials. In addition, a judicial commission led by retired Justice John Michael Cunha has kicked off an official inquiry, tasked with delivering its findings within the next 30 days.
Meanwhile, RCB challenged the tribunal’s observations, claiming they weren’t given a fair chance to respond. On the political front, the BJP accused the Congress-led state government of shifting blame to distract from administrative failures. Despite the political noise, public outrage continues to grow. Families of victims are demanding accountability, while experts are calling for stricter safety regulations for mass events.
In summary, Virat Kohli’s video proof of the Bengaluru stampede has turned out to be a vital element in the state’s case. While the intent was to celebrate, the lack of planning and communication turned joy into tragedy. Organizers must actively place public safety above all else moving forward, especially when events involve celebrities and large crowds.
