RCB, DNA Entertainment get interim relief from Karnataka High Court in Chinnaswamy stampede case: 'It's too premature'

The Karnataka High Court on Monday provided interim relief to Royal Challengers Bengaluru as well as DNA Entertainment while hearing their petitions against a criminal case filed in connection with the recent stampede at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

RCB and DNA Entertainment had moved High Court on Monday seeking to quash a First Information Report that was filed by Bengaluru Police on Thursday, in which the Royal Challengers had been named as the first accused.

The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), which is headquartered at the Chinnaswamy Stadium and is in charge of the venue, was also named as an accused in the case.

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And on Monday, both parties filed separate petitions before the Karnataka High Court; while RCB claimed that they have been falsely implicated in the case, DNA Entertainment blamed the lack of police cover at the iconic venue as the primary factor that led to the stampede and the eventual loss of lives.

Later on the same day, the High Court adjourned the ongoing hearings concerning the two parties to Thursday, 12 June with Justice SR Krishna Kumar ordering police officials to not take any coercive action against anyone from either RCB or DNA until then.

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“There is a gentleman’s understanding – don’t do anything till we take up the matter,” Justice Krishna Kumar told the Karnataka government, warning against unnecessary action.

‘There’s no independent case made out against RCB or DNA’

Monday’s hearing also witnessed a sharp exchange between CV Nagesh and Advocate General (AG) Shashikiran Shetty. While Nagesh was representing RCB and DNA, Shetty was representing the State of Karnataka.

The former alleged that there was no prima facie case against his clients, and that the allegations were largely composite involving all three parties.

“Except for one sentence, the entire FIR makes composite allegations against all three. There’s no independent case made out against RCB or DNA,” Nagesh said, while added that it was actually the Chief Minister of Karnataka Siddaramaiah who had invited everyone to RCB’s felicitation event.

AG Shetty, however, contended that it was RCB and DNA’s social media posts that actually drew fans in large numbers at the Chinnaswamy, as well as the fact that they had done so without seeking prior permissions that led to the chaos.

“Thirteen crore people saw it,” the AG said, pointing the finger at Nagesh’s clients on the parties responsible for spreading the word about the team’s title celebrations.

“At 10.30 am, without informing the government, they tweeted that there would be a rally. Five lakh people came, and only 21 gates were there. If they had simply opened the gates, lives could have been saved,” he added.

‘It’s too premature’: Karnataka HC Judge

Justice Krishna Kumar, however, said it was “too premature” for the High Court to be arriving at a conclusion this early.

“Today, we are not in a position to say whether it was the tweet or the CM’s invitation or something else that caused the incident. It’s too premature. We’re only dealing with a plea for protection from arrest.

“Except for that one sentence about free passes, everything else seems to be composite.

“At one point, the AG expressed concern that the petitioners could destroy evidence if granted protection.

“The investigation will reveal who among the three – RCB, DNA, KSCA – is responsible. If it turns out the tweet had no impact, what then?” Justice Krishna Kumar added.

The tragic incident at RCB’s home ground had taken place on 4 June while Virat Kohli, captain Rajat Patidar and the rest of the squad was celebrating its historic victory over Punjab Kings in the IPL final in Ahmedabad on the previous night. The six-run victory over the Shreyas Iyer-led PBKS gave RCB their maiden IPL title after years of heart-breaks.

Besides the FIR against RCB, DNA and KSCA, Bengaluru Police had arrested Royal Challengers marketing and revenue head Nikhil Sosale at the Kempegowda International Airport.

Cops had also detained three executives belonging to DNA Entertainment, the organisation that had successfully conducted an open-top bus parade for the Indian cricket team at Mumbai’s Marine Drive following their victory in the T20 World Cup last year.

Sosale has since approached the Karnataka High Court following his arrest, terming it illegal and arbitrary.