Authorities in Bengaluru have arrested four people in connection with a deadly stampede that occurred during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) cricket team’s Indian Premier League (IPL) victory celebrations. The incident, which left 11 dead and at least 47 injured, has triggered widespread outrage and a criminal investigation.
According to Indian media reports, three individuals from the event management company overseeing the celebration and one RCB official have been taken into custody. Among them is Nikhil Sosale, RCB’s head of marketing, who was reportedly arrested at the city’s airport. Another detained individual is said to be a senior executive with the contracted event firm.
Tens of thousands of fans had crowded the streets of Karnataka’s capital on Wednesday to greet local cricket hero Virat Kohli and the RCB team following their historic victory over the Punjab Kings in the IPL final. The stampede occurred outside a stadium where the team was celebrating with the trophy. As large crowds attempted to push through the gates, chaos erupted, resulting in a deadly crush.
The franchise called the incident “unfortunate” and announced compensation of one million Indian rupees (about $11,655) for the families of each of the 11 deceased fans.
The tragedy has led to mounting criticism of both police and organizers. Several senior police officials have been suspended, with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stating publicly that their conduct appeared “irresponsible and negligent.”
“Legal action has been taken against the representatives of RCB, the event organizers, and the state cricket association,” Siddaramaiah said during a Thursday news conference. A First Information Report (FIR), initiating formal police investigations, has been filed against those involved.
RCB has not issued a formal statement beyond its initial response, and there has been no public comment yet from team officials regarding the arrests.
The incident marks the first time in 45 years that a crowd crush has claimed lives at a sporting event in India, a country where stampedes—especially during religious gatherings—are tragically common.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the event “absolutely heartrending,” while cricket fans and commentators across the country expressed grief and anger over what many view as a preventable disaster.
RCB captain Virat Kohli, who top-scored in the final, shared his sorrow in a brief statement, saying he was “at a loss for words” over the celebration’s tragic turn.
India’s head cricket coach, Gautam Gambhir, criticized such large-scale parades, saying, “Celebration is important. But more important than that is the life of any person. If we’re not prepared to manage such crowds, we shouldn’t have these roadshows.”
The Indian Premier League, now among the world’s most lucrative sports leagues, has grown into a cultural phenomenon. Its current five-year broadcast rights deal, valued at $6.2 billion, makes it one of the costliest sporting events per match globally.
With input from Al Jazeera
