Tragic Stampede at RCB Victory Celebration Claims 11 Lives in Bengaluru

A jubilant celebration turned tragic on June 4, 2025, when a massive crowd gathered outside Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to celebrate Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title. The event, intended to honor RCB's victory over the Punjab Kings, resulted in a deadly stampede that claimed 11 lives and injured over 50 individuals.

The celebration attracted an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 fans, far exceeding the stadium's capacity of 35,000. The overwhelming turnout led to chaos as attendees attempted to enter the venue through limited access points, causing a fatal crush.

Among the victims was 26-year-old Akshata Pai, a gold medalist Chartered Accountant from Mulki. Despite not being an avid cricket fan, she attended the event out of curiosity with her husband. Tragically, she was separated from him during the commotion and later found deceased at Bowring Hospital.

In the aftermath, two senior officials of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) resigned, accepting moral responsibility for the incident. Additionally, the Karnataka government initiated a magisterial inquiry and filed a First Information Report (FIR) against RCB, KSCA, and event organizer DNA Entertainment Networks for alleged criminal negligence.

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy acknowledged administrative lapses, noting that the event was organized without proper police permission and that free ticket distribution contributed to the uncontrolled crowd. The state government has announced compensation for the victims' families, and RCB has pledged to match these relief efforts.

This tragedy underscores the critical need for stringent crowd management and safety protocols during large public gatherings to prevent such devastating incidents in the future.

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