RCB announces Rs 25 lakh aid for families of June 4 stampede victims

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Saturday announced financial aid of INR 25 lakh each for the families of 11 victims, who lost their lives in the stampede outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru during the team’s IPL 2025 title celebrations on June 4.

“Our hearts broke on June 4, 2025. We lost eleven members of the RCB family. They were part of us. Part of what makes our city, our community & our team unique. Their absence will echo in the memories of each one of us. No amount of support can ever fill the space they’ve left behind,” RCB wrote in a social media post.

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“But as a first step, and with the deepest respect, RCB has extended INR 25 lakh each to their families. Not just as financial aid, but as a promise of compassion, unity, and ongoing care. This is also the beginning of RCB Cares: a long-term commitment for meaningful action that begins by honouring their memory. Every step forward will reflect what the fans feel, expect, and deserve,” it added.

RCB’s long-awaited title triumph came on June 3, with a six-run victory over Punjab Kings in the final at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. Less than 24 hours later, the victory turned tragic as a stampede broke out outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, leaving 11 dead and more than 50 injured. While the team celebrated inside, chaos on the streets sparked national outrage.

Eighty-four days later, after mounting criticism, police action and multiple complaints, RCB launched its ‘RCB Cares’ initiative — promising INR 25 lakh to each bereaved family along with support for the injured. The gesture, however, was seen by many as delayed damage control rather than an act of genuine compassion.

On Thursday (August 29, 2025), RCB broke a three-month-long silence with a condolence post. “The Silence wasn’t Absence. It was Grief,” a statement read.

The Karnataka government had held the franchise responsible for lapses that led to the tragedy. RCB’s initial condolence message, issued soon after the incident, was quickly overshadowed by their prolonged silence.

The three-month wait for a concrete response left several supporters feeling abandoned during one of the darkest moments in the team’s history.