In the wake of a tragic stampede that claimed the lives of at least 11 people outside Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, the Karnataka High Court on Thursday, June 5, took suo motu cognisance and directed the state government to submit a detailed report. The stampede occurred during a public celebration organized to honor Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL 2025 victory. Thousands of excited fans had gathered at the venue, but the massive crowd quickly spiraled into chaos, resulting in a catastrophic stampede that left several others injured and the city in mourning.

The High Court expressed deep concern over the apparent lack of preparedness and poor crowd management during such a large-scale public event. It has sought a full explanation from the Siddaramaiah-led government, asking for the sequence of events leading up to the incident, the emergency protocols in place, and the personnel deployed for crowd control and public safety. The bench has granted one week to the state to file this report, which must include details of any lapses, permissions granted, and the accountability of concerned officials.

This judicial intervention follows mounting public outrage and widespread criticism over the handling of the event. Questions are being raised about why basic safety measures were not enforced despite the expected turnout. The court’s action now puts the spotlight squarely on administrative and law enforcement agencies, with the tragedy serving as a grim reminder of the dire consequences of negligence in crowd control. The government has also launched an internal probe, promising strict action against any individuals or departments found responsible.