Bengaluru Tragedy: Police Commissioner Suspended, RCB Booked Following Stadium Stampede judicial probe ordered; former High Court judge Michael D’Cunha to lead inquiry

In the wake of the devastating stampede at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium that claimed 11 lives and left 56 injured during celebrations of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) IPL 2025 triumph, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has taken decisive action.Bengaluru Police Commissioner B. Dayananda has been suspended, along with all officers in charge of the jurisdiction encompassing the stadium. The suspensions come amid mounting public outrage over the apparent lapses in crowd management and security arrangements during the high-profile celebration.To ensure accountability and transparency, the Chief Minister has ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident. The probe will be conducted by a single-member commission headed by retired Karnataka High Court judge Michael D’Cunha.“The incident is deeply tragic and unacceptable. We owe it to the victims and their families to ensure that those responsible are held to account. No one will be spared,” Mr. Siddaramaiah said during a press briefing.In a surprising development, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru franchise has also been booked in connection with the mishap. Allegations point to the team’s event organizers for failing to comply with crowd control protocols and safety norms during the victory celebration.Sources suggest that the inquiry will examine permissions granted for the event, the number of attendees versus the stadium’s capacity, and the absence of adequate emergency response systems. Legal experts have stated that, depending on the findings, criminal negligence charges may be brought against those found culpable.As Bengaluru reels from the aftermath of the tragedy, families of the victims and injured await justice. The commission, expected to begin its work in the coming days, has been tasked with submitting its report at the earliest.Meanwhile, questions are being raised over the role of the IPL governing council, stadium authorities, and local civic agencies, with calls for a complete overhaul of event safety protocols at large public gatherings.The state government has assured compensation for the families of the deceased and free medical treatment for the injured.This incident has cast a dark shadow over what was supposed to be a moment of celebration, turning it into one of mourning and reflection for the city and cricket fans across the country.