The Karnataka BJP on Wednesday intensified its attack on the Congress government after three senior IPS officers were cleared of departmental proceedings in the 2025 Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede case, with Leader of Opposition R Ashoka questioning who would now be held responsible for the deaths of 11 people.
The political confrontation comes a day after the Karnataka government closed disciplinary proceedings against the officers, bringing fresh scrutiny to the handling of the tragedy that unfolded during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory celebrations last year.
R Ashoka questions accountability in Chinnaswamy stampede case
Launching a sharp attack on the Congress government, Ashoka alleged that successive inquiries were aimed at shielding those responsible instead of securing justice for the victims’ families.
“The tears and curses of the grieving parents will not spare this murderous Congress government,” he said.
Calling the incident a “government-sponsored killing”, Ashoka asked who should be held accountable if political leaders, senior bureaucrats and police officers had all been absolved.
“Who is truly responsible for the deaths of the 11 innocent young men and women who died in the horrific stampede near Chinnaswamy Stadium? Where is the justice for this government-sponsored tragedy?” he said.
Ashoka also alleged that then Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had approved IPL victory celebrations at two venues on the same day. He further claimed that then Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar took part in a photo opportunity with an RCB flag while the tragedy was unfolding.
He alleged that, despite police warnings, then Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) Secretary Satyavathi insisted on holding the event in front of the Vidhana Soudha, while then Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh supervised the administrative arrangements.
“Today, Siddaramaiah has no fault, DK Shivakumar is innocent, the Chief Secretary is blameless, the DPAR Secretary is innocent, and now even the police officers have been exonerated. Then who is responsible for the deaths of those 11 innocent people? Did they die on their own?” Ashoka asked.
He said he had earlier raised the issue in the Assembly and accused the government of ordering inquiries only to bury the case.
“I had said on the floor of the House that every inquiry ordered by this government is only an attempt to bury the case. This corrupt Congress government has no intention whatsoever of ensuring justice for the bereaved parents,” he said.
In his closing remarks, Ashoka warned that those in power would eventually face public judgment.
“Power is not permanent, Mr DK Shivakumar. The people have not forgotten. The public will deliver appropriate punishment to this murderous Congress government,” he said.
Karnataka govt closes disciplinary proceedings against IPS officers
On Tuesday, the Karnataka government exonerated senior IPS officers B Dayananda, Vikash Kumar Vikash and Shekhar H Tekkannavar in connection with the June 4, 2025, stampede, ending departmental proceedings initiated against them under the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969.
Separate orders issued by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (Services-IV) said the competent authority decided to close the proceedings after examining the officers’ written defence and the opinion of the administrative department.
11 killed during RCB IPL victory celebrations
The stampede took place outside Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, 2025, during celebrations for Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s maiden IPL title.
According to official figures, 11 people were killed, and at least 56 others were injured after an estimated 2.5 lakh people gathered around the venue, overwhelming crowd-control arrangements.
The victims included six men and five women. The incident triggered multiple investigations, suspension of senior police officers and legal proceedings involving event organisers and government officials.