Royal Challengers Sports Limited, the parent company of IPL team Royal Challengers Bengaluru, on Monday approached the Karnataka High Court seeking to quash the criminal case filed against it in connection with the stampede at M Chinnaswamy Stadium that left 11 people dead.
The stampede, which occurred during the distribution of free passes for an RCB fan event, sparked widespread criticism over poor planning and crowd control.
Event Organiser Also Challenges FIR
Alongside RCSL, DNA Entertainment Networks Pvt Ltd, the official event organiser, has also filed a separate petition challenging the FIR lodged against it. Both entities argue that they have been wrongly implicated in the case.
In its petition, RCSL asserted that it had clearly communicated to the public via social media that only a limited number of passes would be available. It further clarified that even for free passes, pre-registration was mandatory to gain entry to the venue.
The company has distanced itself from the logistical missteps, highlighting that the stadium gates were scheduled to open at 1:45 PM but were actually opened only at 3:00 PM, which caused panic and a dangerous surge in the crowd.
Police Accused Of Crowd Control Failure
DNA Entertainment Networks, in its submission, blamed the incident on poor crowd management by the police. The firm has claimed that its role was limited to organising the event and that security and crowd control were the responsibility of the authorities.
High Court Hearing Expected
The court is scheduled to hear the matter on Monday afternoon. The case has attracted public attention due to the magnitude of the tragedy and the involvement of high-profile entities.
Legal experts note that the outcome of the petitions could set a precedent regarding event liability and accountability in large public gatherings, particularly those involving sports franchises and private event organisers.
Authorities have yet to issue a formal response to the petitions. Meanwhile, families of the victims continue to demand justice and accountability for the lapses that led to the stampede.
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