 "RCB's title celebration at M Chinnaswamy Stadium had to be cut short due to the stampede. Image: AP")
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has moved the Karnataka High Court against remarks made by the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) , which appeared to hold the IPL team responsible for the tragic stampede outside Chinnaswamy Stadium on 4 June. In their plea, RCB said they were not even heard before the CAT passed such strong comments about their role in the incident.
The stampede took place after a huge crowd gathered at the stadium to celebrate RCB’s historic IPL 2025 win, its maiden title in 18 years. Unfortunately, the celebration turned tragic as 11 people lost their lives and more than 50 were injured. Following the incident, the Karnataka government suspended several police officers, including ACP Vikash Kumar Vikash, blaming poor crowd control.
Earlier this month, the CAT revoked ACP Vikash’s suspension and also made strong remarks about RCB. The tribunal held RCB “prima facie responsible” for gathering such large crowds without prior permission. It also said that police officials cannot be expected to control such gatherings on such short notice, adding that police personnel are also human beings.
RCB challenge CAT comments in High Court
Now, the RCB team is arguing that these comments are unfair and violate the basic principles of natural justice, because the team was not part of the case and was not given any chance to explain its side. RCB said that CAT made observations against the franchise without even hearing their side of the story.
“Despite the fact that (RCB) was not a party before it, the Hon’ble Central Administrative Tribunal, Bengaluru, has also held that (RCB) is prima facie responsible for the unfortunate incident that occurred on 04.06.2025 … The findings in the (CAT) Order against the (RCB) is contrary to the principles of natural justice as (RCB) was not a party to the proceedings… The Hon’ble Central Administrative Tribunal has made observations against the (RCB) without even giving an opportunity to be heard in the proceedings,” RCB stated in its petition as quoted by Bar and Bench.
After winning their maiden IPL title on 3 June, RCB took to social media to announce a victory parade and invited supporters to join the celebrations with players for free at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Following the incident, RCB deleted the social media post about free entry but went ahead with the victory celebrations despite being aware of the situation, as claimed by Karnataka Dy CM DK Shivakumar earlier.