In a significant development following the tragic stampede at Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4 during IPL victory celebrations, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has attributed responsibility to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) cricket team for the massive gathering that led to the fatal incident claiming 11 lives and leaving numerous injured.
The CAT, while defending the role of the police in managing the situation, emphasized their human limitations, stating they are not divine or capable of miraculous interventions like Aladdin's genie. The tribunal's remarks underscored the RCB's alleged failure to obtain necessary permissions or adequately plan for the event, which reportedly drew between three to five lakh spectators following a sudden social media announcement.
In a parallel decision, the tribunal quashed the suspension order against senior IPS officer Vikash Kumar, who had been implicated in the aftermath of the stampede. Kumar, along with then Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda and DCP Shekar H Tekkannavar, faced disciplinary actions which have now been nullified by the CAT's ruling.
Senior advocate Dhyan Chinappa, representing Vikash Kumar, confirmed the tribunal's decision, highlighting that Kumar is entitled to full reinstatement with all benefits as per service regulations. The tribunal's ruling potentially sets a precedent for the reinstatement of Dayananda and Tekkannavar as well, pending further legal proceedings.
Following the tragic incident, the Karnataka government had taken swift action, suspending several police officials including the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Police, under the relevant disciplinary rules. The incident had sparked public outrage and raised questions about crowd management and safety protocols during large-scale events.
The CAT's decision marks a critical juncture in the aftermath of the Bengaluru stampede, reflecting judicial scrutiny over administrative decisions and emphasizing accountability in public safety management during major public gatherings.
This ruling is expected to have implications on future event planning and crowd management strategies in Bengaluru and beyond, underscoring the need for rigorous compliance with regulatory frameworks to prevent such tragic occurrences in the future.
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