A case has been filed against cricketer Virat Kohli at Bengaluru’s Cubbon Park Police Station in relation to the June 4 stampede outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium, which claimed the lives of 11 people and injured many others. Kohli, a prominent member of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) team, has been charged by social activist HM Venkatesh with encouraging ‘gambling through IPL’, which according to him sparked the crowd and resulted in the tragedy.
Police Action on the Complaint
As far as the complaint is concerned, police sources made it clear that no FIR has been lodged against Kohli yet. Talking to news agency ANI, police officials stated that the complaint will be examined and processed in the context of the ongoing probe into the incident.
In his submission in writing, Venkatesh claimed, “Virat Kohli of Bangalore RCB team is the most visible among the people who joined in such gambling and encouraged people to meet at a particular spot and brought about this tragedy. Hence, we request you to kindly make Virat Kohli and members of his team accused in this tragedy FIR and take necessary action.”
The activist also asserted, “The Indian Premier League (IPL) is no sport but a betting that has tainted the game of cricket.”
Arrests Made in the Case
During the investigation, four persons, including senior RCB official Nikhil Sosale and three event managers, were arrested and committed to 14 days of judicial custody by a Bengaluru Sessions Court. They were arrested during a joint operation by Cubbon Park police and the Central Crime Branch (CCB) in the early morning hours on June 6 at Kempegowda International Airport.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court has granted interim protection to Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) officials, directing police not to initiate coercive steps against them until the next hearing on June 9. The relief was granted in a petition filed by KSCA President Raghu Ram Bhat, Secretary A Shankar, Treasurer ES Jairam, and others requesting the quashing of the FIR.
Legal Challenges and Police Action
Nikhil Sosale has also moved the court of Karnataka High Court, alleging his arrest was not supported by enough evidence and made without a pre-inquiry. He has sought a declaration of illegality in his arrest.
After the horrific stampede at RCB’s celebration event of IPL, Bengaluru police on Thursday registered an FIR against RCB franchise, DNA Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., and KSCA on serious charges of culpable homicide and illegal assembly.
The arrests were made under tight security and following mandatory medical screenings. The case has caused much attention after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah directed the arrest of RCB officials, event managers, and representatives of KSCA, citing that their ‘irresponsibility’ and ‘carelessness’ on prima facie grounds could be seen as evident.
Following the incident, some top police officials were suspended, among them being Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda, Additional Commissioner Vikash Kumar Vikash, DCP (Central) Shekhar HT, ACP Balakrishna, and Cubbon Park Police Inspector Girish AK.
