What began as a jubilant celebration for Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s long-awaited IPL title victory turned into a heartbreaking tragedy on Wednesday, June 4, when a massive crowd overwhelmed security arrangements at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. A deadly stampede claimed the lives of 11 people all under the age of 40 and left at least 47 others injured.

The event, meant to be a public celebration of RCB’s historic win after 18 years, was marked by mismanagement, last-minute changes, and a surge of over 3 lakh fans nearly ten times the stadium’s 35,000-person capacity. Initially planned as a victory parade, the program was abruptly moved to the stadium following security objections raised by the Bengaluru police, who had denied permission for a street celebration.

Despite these warnings, around 3:14 pm, RCB confirmed on social media that the event would go ahead and announced free entry passes, sparking a rush of fans to the stadium. Chaos erupted when fans, unaware of any structured entry plan, attempted to force their way in. With only a handful of police and private security personnel deployed, the situation spiraled out of control.

At Gate 20, the pressure of the crowd caused barricades to fall. Eyewitness Mohammed Hussain, a 24-year-old MBA student, described the horrific scene: “Once the gate fell open, everybody outside tried to get inside and caused a stampede. This person’s leg got stuck in a police barricade, and he fell, and some 500 people trampled over him.”

Victims and their Backgrounds

Among those who died was 18-year-old Manoj Kumar, a student at Presidency College and the son of a pani puri vendor. His grieving father, Devaraj N T, said at the Bowring Hospital mortuary, “I did not allow him to clean the plates at my pani puri shop because I wanted him to go to college. I brought him up with a lot of care. Now, he is gone.”

Prajwal G, a 22-year-old engineering student and avid RCB fan, also lost his life. His mother, Pavithra Ganesh, wept outside the mortuary: “He was crazy about RCB. He died in an RCB shirt… Can RCB give him back to us?”

Tragically, the youngest victim was Divyanshi, a 13-year-old girl who had come to the stadium with her mother, aunt, and sister. Her aunt lamented the lack of police support: “There was no one to help provide CPR or anything. There was so much police protection when the chief minister came, but nothing at the stadium.”

List of Victims Who Lost Their Lives in the Stampede:

1. Divyanshi – 13 years old

2. Shivalingu – 17 years old

3. Manoj Kumar – 18 years old

4. Bhoomika – 18 years old

5. Chinnaiah – 19 years old

6. Chinmayi – 19 years old

7. Prajwal G – 22 years old

8. Sahana – 21 years old

9. Poorna Chandra – 25 years old

10. Akshata – 26 years old

11. Devi (also reported as Kamakshi Devi) – 29 years old

The crowd crush was further intensified by the simultaneous felicitation event held at the Vidhana Soudha, about 1 km away, attended by Karnataka’s top political leaders including Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. The dual events, organised in close proximity and with insufficient police distribution, led to questions over the decision-making process.

“Where was the need to hold two felicitations at such short notice and within a short span in the same police jurisdiction?” questioned a Bengaluru-based social worker.

CM Announces Rs 10 Lakh Ex Gratia to the Victim’s Families

The Chief Minister announced Rs 10 lakh in compensation for each victim’s family and assured free treatment for the injured. “Such incidents happened in so many places. I am not going to defend this by comparing it with them now, by saying it happened here and there. In Kumbh Mela, 50-60 people died, but I didn’t criticise it,” Siddaramaiah stated.

His remarks drew sharp criticism from BJP leader Pralhad Joshi, who condemned the state’s handling of the situation: “Kumbh and this is incomparable. When police denied permission, why did you force them? Why did Deputy Chief Minister (DK Shivakumar) go to receive them? They are busy with selfies, nobody is bothered about what has happened to the common man.”

Royal Challengers Bengaluru issued a statement expressing sorrow over the incident: “We are deeply anguished by the unfortunate incidents that have come to light through media reports… Immediately upon being made aware of the situation, we promptly amended our program, and followed the guidance and advice of the local administration.”

The Karnataka State Cricket Association also offered Rs 5 lakh to each bereaved family. “This compensation is not intended to determine or replace the value of human life, but rather to serve as a gesture of support and solidarity,” said Shivaji Lokre, the Association’s Chief Finance Officer.

The tragedy has triggered calls for an independent judicial probe. With anger and grief spreading across Karnataka, this incident stands as a stark reminder of the cost of administrative oversight and poor event management.